Congress to vote to strengthen penalties against Iran over nuclear program
By Jim Abrams, APThursday, June 24, 2010
Congress nears vote on new penalties against Iran
WASHINGTON — Congress is getting ready to impose tough new penalties against Iran over its nuclear program.
House and Senate votes are expected later Thursday. The penalties focus on stopping businesses from supplying Iran with refined petroleum products such as gasoline and blocking U.S. access to foreign financial institutions with links to Iran’s Republican Guard.
At issue is Iran’s continued defiance of international demands that it abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
The U.N. Security Council has approved a fourth round of penalties. The Treasury Department has added to the U.S. blacklist of companies and individuals linked Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
