Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sens. Rick Scott, Marco Rubio, and Maggie Hassan, has called on President Joe Biden to enhance the enforcement of Iran sanctions in response to the recent attacks on U.S. troops and Israel by Iranian-backed groups. The senators have also expressed support for proposed legislation in the U.S. Senate aimed at denying Iran the financial resources it uses to fund these attacks.

In a letter addressed to President Biden, the senators emphasized the need to strengthen sanctions on Iranian oil, citing the ongoing attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East. They urged the President to use all available authorities to implement these sanctions while Congress considers enacting legislation.

"We urge you to maximize your efforts to prevent illicit trade in Iranian oil by implementing and enforcing sanctions on ships, ports, and refineries that deal in Iranian oil," the senators wrote.

The senators also highlighted the connection between Iran's illicit oil trade and its support for terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. They pointed out that Iranian funding has enabled these groups to carry out attacks on U.S. allies in the region.

"The barbaric October 7, 2023 attack on Israel was a stark reminder of the threats Iranian-backed terrorist groups pose to both Israelis and Americans, as well as the dangers inherent to appeasing the Islamic Republic of Iran," the senators stated.

They further emphasized the need for immediate action to deny Iran additional financial resources that it can use to support terrorism and destabilize the Middle East. The senators called for a focus on Iran's expanding and lucrative illicit oil trade, which has seen significant growth in recent years.

According to the senators, Iran is now exporting over 1.4 million barrels of crude oil per day, with a significant portion ending up in China. The regime has reportedly earned at least $88 billion from these illicit oil exports between February 2021 and October 2023.

The senators also highlighted the role of Iranian-backed groups in the attacks on U.S. forces in the region since October 7, 2023. They noted that there have been over 140 attacks on U.S. troops, resulting in the tragic deaths of three servicemembers and numerous injuries. These attacks have been enabled by the financial and military support Iran provides to militias and other groups in Iraq and Syria.

In conclusion, the senators called on President Biden to take immediate action to stop Iran's illicit oil trade. They specifically urged the President to sanction ships transporting Iranian petroleum products, as well as foreign ports and refineries that knowingly accept those products.

The senators' letter demonstrates their collective concern about Iran's support for terrorist groups and the need to cut off their sources of funding. By urging President Biden to strengthen enforcement of Iran sanctions, they seek to prevent further attacks on U.S. forces and allies in the Middle East.