Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
According to reports, as of February 2023, Chinese refineries were processing, refining, or engaging with approximately 1.2 million barrels of Iranian oil per day. Iranian oil sales to China’s genocidal regime fund the Ayatollah’s ability to repress Iranian protestors.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, which would sanction illicit purchases of Iranian oil and hold the regime’s enablers accountable.
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“As the regime in Tehran continues to enrich itself through the sale of sanctioned oil, we must ensure that U.S. sanctions on all individuals and entities linked to the illicit trade of Iranian oil are rigorously enforced.” – Senator Rubio
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“We must do everything that we can to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon and stop its support of terrorism. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen sanctions on Iranian oil – a key revenue source for the regime – and make the United States and our allies, including Israel, safer.” – Senator Hassan
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“Iran has been unrelenting in its pursuit of nuclear weapons and its support for terrorist groups. To achieve these goals, Iran relies on funds from illicit oil sales that violate U.S. sanctions. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen sanctions on ports and refineries that receive and process Iranian oil and will help reign in Iran’s ability to engage in destabilizing activities.” – Senator Rosen
Specifically, this bill:
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Sets a statement of policy that the United States should deny Iran the ability to engage in destabilizing activities;
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Imposes sanctions against entities that engage in the illicit Iranian oil trade, such as through ship-to-ship transfers of oil, entities that own refineries the processes Iranian oil, as well as entities that are included on the Treasury Department’s SDN list; and
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Requires a report from the administration on increase of exports of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran.
U.S. Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) introduced companion legislation in the House.
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“The SHIP Act will unequivocally sink Iran’s aspirations of regional dominance and poke holes in their trade relationships. This legislation should serve as a warning shot across the bow for Iran and China and I am hopeful that every member of Congress will show support for this commonsense measure.” – Congressman Lawler
“The Islamic Republic of Iran funds terror and hate across the world through their international petroleum exports. This legislation will impose additional sanctions and deny Iran the ability to destabilize activities across the region, fund terrorist groups, violate human rights, and commit acts of oppression. All foreign adversaries better think twice if they believe they can finance and facilitate terror and get away with it.” – Congressman Moskowitz