Congress and White House Clash on Sanctions
A battle is currently underway between the White House and hawks in Congress over whether to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Iran or go forward with new sanctions.
Congress Debates War, Sanctions, Diplomacy and MEK with Top Obama Officials
The House and Senate each held hearings on Iran policy, including sanctions, diplomacy, and war with top administration officials from the State and Treasury departments.
Building on the Student Visa Victory: the Work and Opportunities Ahead
The Iranian student visa fix is a profound example of how, in the absence of sweeping solutions in U.S.-Iran policy, there remain seemingly small but immensely important steps the U.S. can take to build goodwill with the Iranian people.
Analysis: Human Rights Component of New Iran Sanctions Effort is Far Too Limited
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) has introduced the “human rights component” of what will be a “massive” Iran sanctions package expected in time for the AIPAC conference later this month.
Clinton Testifies on Iran Sanctions, Nuclear Enrichment, and the MEK
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appeared before two Congressional hearings that featured a series of pointed exchanges regarding Iran’s nuclear program, US sanctions, and the terrorist designation of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK).
Time for Obama to call his opponents’ bluff on Iran
With Republicans now sharing the burden of governing in the next Congress, President Obama has an opportunity to define the terms of the Iran debate instead of spending two more years capitulating to a Democratic Congress worried about appearing weak or out of sync with hardliners on the Iran issue.
In New Iran Sanctions Bill, Congressman Targets Iranian Passenger Planes
Congressman Brad Sherman is planning to introduce new sanctions aimed at Iranian civilian flights, which could exacerbate Iran’s already abysmal flight safety record. Hundreds of civilian passengers on Iranian flights have been killed in plane crashes in the past decade.
Five minutes to Midnight? Congress Debates Iran Divestment
Congress began deliberations on the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2009 in the first hearing held by the House Subcommittee on International Monetary Policy and Trade.
Iranian-American student arrested in Iran, groups call for release
A graduate student from California State University-Northridge has been imprisoned in Iran for more than a week, with calls for her release going unheeded by Iranian authorities, according to rights groups and media reports.