Blumenthal Applauds Obama Administration for Iran Sanctions Enforcement

(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated entities and individuals for supporting Iran’s ballistic missile program and the Iranian airline Mahan Air.

“These sanctions enforcement steps‎ demonstrate highly significant American resolve to stop Iran's rogue behavior. I have repeatedly urged the Administration to enforce these sanctions, and I am pleased my calls have been heeded. The United States and our allies must continue to sanction Iran’s ballistic missile development, state sponsorship of terrorism, and human rights violations in order to hold Iran accountable and prevent Tehran from violating international agreements with impunity.”

In a bipartisan letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew earlier this month, Senator Blumenthal urged the Secretary to sanction all entities partnering with the private Iranian airline, Mahan Air. The US Department of the Treasury has designated Mahan Air for its support for terrorism and funneling of weapons to Hezbollah and to the Assad regime in Syria, yet the airline continues to operate with a network of partners throughout Europe.

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