Kaine To Trump Administration: Fully Enforce Iran Sanctions For Ballistic Missile Test

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine joined a group of 21 Senate colleagues in a bipartisan letter to President Trump after reports that Iran conducted a ballistic missile test late last week.

“Iranian leaders must feel sufficient pressure to cease deeply destabilizing activities, from sponsoring terrorist groups to continued testing of ballistic missiles,” the Senators wrote. “Full enforcement of existing sanctions and the imposition of additional sanctions on Iran for its ballistic missile program are necessary. Moreover, we are hopeful that the international community can unite around the common cause of countering Iran’s troubling actions.”

Joining Kaine on the letter are U.S. Senators Bob Corker, Ben Cardin, Debbie Stabenow, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, Robert Menendez, Bob Casey, Bill Nelson, Michael Bennet, Ron Wyden, Marco Rubio, Ron Johnson, Todd Young, Cory Gardner, Lindsey Graham, Johnny Isakson, Tom Cotton, John Barrasso, Jeff Flake, Jim Risch, and Rob Portman.

A signed PDF of the letter is at this link. The text of the letter follows:

Dear Mr. President:

We are concerned by reports that Iran conducted a ballistic missile test on January 29, 2017.  If it is confirmed that Iran tested a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear weapon, Iran will have again violated both the letter and spirit of its obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2231 (2015) not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology. 

Iranian leaders must feel sufficient pressure to cease deeply destabilizing activities, from sponsoring terrorist groups to continued testing of ballistic missiles.  Full enforcement of existing sanctions and the imposition of additional sanctions on Iran for its ballistic missile program are necessary.  Moreover, we are hopeful that the international community can unite around the common cause of countering Iran’s troubling actions.

We look forward to supporting your Administration’s efforts to hold Iran accountable, and note the positive step taken by the United States calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.  It is imperative that the United States lead the international community in enforcing UN Security Council resolution 2231.

Sincerely,

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