Washington, D.C. – Last week, Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Joe Wilson (SC-02) of the House Armed Serviced Committee (HASC) introduced H.R. 857, the Iranian Arms Transfer Prevention Act of 2021, which seeks to limit Iran’s malign influence in the Middle East.

The legislation requires the United States to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the transfer of conventional weapons to and from the Islamic Republic of Iran.  Iran’s conventional arms trade threatens the national security of United States and its allies and partners in the region including Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and others. 

“While there may be a legitimate disagreement on the best way to deal with Iran’s nuclear program, one thing we can all agree on is that countries like Russia and China should not be selling weapons to the world’s top exporter of terrorism,” said Rep. Bacon. “For decades there has been a strong bi-partisan consensus on the need to restrict the transfer of conventional arms to and from Iran. Unfortunately, the United Nations Security Council lifted these restrictions last year.” 

 “The Iranian Arms Transfer Prevention Act is an important step in improving national security. I am grateful to introduce this important legislation with Congressman Don Bacon that prevents conventional weapons from getting into the hands of mass murder terrorists,” said Rep. Wilson, who is also the Ranking Member House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism.

The 2015 United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) that affirmed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iranian Nuclear Deal, rescinded two previous UNSCR resolutions that blocked conventional arms transactions by Iran.  In October 2020 these measures were permitted to lapse effectively lifting the international arms embargo on Iran for the first time since 2007.

 “The Iranian Arms Transfer Prevention Act is common sense legislation that restores these long-standing restrictions by imposing costs on entities and individuals who facilitate the sale or transfer of weapons to the Iranian regime,” added Rep. Bacon. “Passing this bill is a necessary and prudent action until Iran abandons its policies of regional aggression and support for international terrorism.”    

In addition to serving on HASC, Reps. Bacon and Wilson also are members of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus dedicated to promoting a strong, principled legislative agenda that will limit government, strengthen our national defense, boost America’s economy, preserve traditional values and balance our budget.

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