Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) addressed the U.S. Senate regarding recent actions by European countries to reimpose sanctions on Iran. In his remarks, Kennedy referenced recent incidents involving Iran, including the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador from Australia and the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. These actions followed attacks linked to individuals connected with Iran in Melbourne and Sydney.
Kennedy noted that the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have announced plans to trigger snapback sanctions on Iran. He explained that these measures are related to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which several countries lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for a commitment from Iran to halt its nuclear weapons program.
“We haven’t heard much about Iran lately. Iran has been busy, though. Just recently, Australia expelled Iran’s ambassador, and they designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is part of Iran, as a terrorist organization.
“Why is that? Because people connected with Iran firebombed a Melbourne synagogue, and then, a few months later, they struck a kosher deli in Sydney, Australia. Iran is still there, and it is still spreading terrorism.
“Iran has also been in the news just recently. The United Kingdom and France and Germany have announced that they are going to trigger snapback sanctions on Iran. What do I mean by that?
“You will recall that, in 2015, President Obama made a deal with Iran. We called it the JCPOA. And the JCPOA just said to Iran: If you will stop moving toward a nuclear weapon, we—meaning the United States of America and the other countries that are part of the United Nations—will remove the sanctions that we had placed on Iran for trying to develop a nuclear weapon. So, Iran said: ‘Pinky promise, we will stop building a nuclear weapon. You remove the sanctions.’
“President Obama agreed. He was naive. We removed the sanctions. The United Nations removed the sanctions. The United Kingdom, Germany, and France removed the sanctions. And, of course, the Ayatollah and Iran continued to develop a weapon.
“Just because we have destroyed— ‘we’ meaning the United States of America—many of Iran’s facilities to make that weapon does not mean that the issue has been resolved. Iran has refused to come to the table, even still, to negotiate a settlement, a new JCPOA.
“And as a result—and I am very proud of them—the United Kingdom and Germany and France have said: ‘OK. We are going to reimplement those sanctions that we agreed to take off of Iran when they signed the first nuclear deal, which Iran welched on almost immediately.’ And again I want to thank our friends in Europe. They supposedly are going to reimplement those sanctions at the end of this month, and I hope they do.
“Of course my preference would be to have Iran come to the table again before then and sit down with U.S., other members of United Nations and resolve this issue of them having a nuclear weapon but I don’t expect that to happen.
“So I know I have said it but I want say it again: Thank you United Kingdom and Germany and France for doing this but we need talk about rest story.
“The sanctions which will be on Iranian banking on Iranian shipping oil arms are only part story These are U.N.sanctions But just because sanctions have been brought back on doesn’t mean they will be enforced
“Now normally these are United Nations sanctions on shipping banking oil arms so normally there would be committee enforce Hope there is but doubt it because think Russia China going block committee enforce
“What is my point My point just because Europe U.S.Agreed reimpose those still got enforce them still got enforce them needs take lead doing
“And need joining with United Kingdom Germany France need make sure world understands these real as part West going enforce
“This important don’t want see get lost discussion about importance Ukraine situation other issues national security don’t want get lost
“What allow what continue What allow what continue unless opium habit know principle all learn hard way
“So hoping president friends Europe will take lead not only snap back these then enforce Unfortunately wish didn’t have do feel for Iranian people don’t feel any sympathy Ayatollah just going choke him death economically.”
The senator emphasized concerns about enforcement challenges due to potential opposition from Russia or China within relevant UN committees tasked with sanction oversight.
