Republicans Go After Biden Sanction Waivers That Allow Iran and Russia To Build Nuclear Infrastructure

The Cruz bill could win bipartisan support, as Congress seeks sanctions against Russia for its use Iranian-made arms in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi / Wikimedia commons

It could be the end of the Biden administration’s ability, in order to lift sanctions against Iran and allow a Russian energy company billions to help the Islamic Republic develop their nuclear program.

According to congressional sources, Senate Republicans believe they might have the votes to pass legislation to make it nearly impossible for the Biden Administration to continue renewing these waivers. Washington Free Beacon. The billThe legislation, which was spearheaded by Senator Ted Cruz (R. Texas), is currently being circulated among Senate colleagues. It is expected to attract widespread Republican support. Although the previous version of this legislation was rejected by Congress, the new version could be supported bipartisanally due to growing support in Congress for sanctions against Russia for using Iranian-made weapons in Ukraine.

“There is absolutely no reason to continue issuing these waivers, which allow Iran and Russia to cooperate on building up Iran’s nuclear program,” Cruz spoke to the Free Beacon. “These waivers were nevertheless renewed in August, because the Biden administration remains obsessed with reentering a nuclear deal with the Iranian regime.”

The Iran-Russian alliance is likely to become a battle between the congressional Republicans and the Biden government. This administration has repeatedly renewed a series sanctions waivers that allow Russian work at Iranian nuclear sites. These include those believed to house the regime’s illicit nukes program. The sanctions waivers—which were last renewed in August—have been a source of consternation on Capitol Hill among Republicans who want to crack down on Tehran’s growing alliance with Moscow.

A companion bill is not yet in the House. However, Republicans would likely approve a similar bill. The bill would be placed on the desk of President Biden, who would need to decide whether to exercise his veto power in order to keep his administration’s hopes alive that it will revive the 2015 nuclear agreement. The Iranian regime would be furious if the sanctions are not lifted at a time when diplomacy is still possible.

“The administration says it is committed to countering cooperation between Iran and Russia,” Cruz said. “They should embrace this legislation.”

Sanctions waivers have been raised again