Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) has shown his support for the End Iranian Terrorism (End IT) Act, a bill that would compel President Joe Biden to enforce sanctions on Iranian oil. The move comes in response to recent attacks by Iran-backed forces and the ongoing threat posed by terrorist groups in the Middle East.

Kennedy highlighted Iran's role in financing terrorist organizations and its direct involvement in attacks against U.S. military personnel. He stated, "Iran financially supports the terrorist organizations responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel and the deaths of three American service members in Jordan with the money it’s making off selling oil to China." Kennedy believes that enforcing existing sanctions on Iranian petroleum products is crucial to preventing Tehran from funding more militias dedicated to terrorizing the United States and its allies.

The End IT Act contains several key provisions aimed at curbing Iran's illicit activities. Firstly, it would require the president to impose sanctions on entities that violate U.S. sanctions on Iranian petroleum. Additionally, the bill calls for an evaluation of the involvement of the Chinese government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in smuggling Iranian oil into China. It also mandates assessing the impact of Iranian petroleum on global energy markets and developing a comprehensive plan to monitor smuggling routes, identify smugglers, and seize and prosecute assets used to violate U.S. sanctions.

The legislation was introduced by Sens. James Risch (R-Idaho) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who have been critical of the Biden administration's approach to Iran. Risch expressed concern about the lax enforcement of sanctions, the unfreezing of funds, and the pursuit of a nuclear deal at any cost. He emphasized the need for the Biden administration to change course and enforce the existing sanctions on Iranian oil. Risch stated, "Iran has earned a shocking $80B in oil revenue since 2021—mostly from Chinese purchases of Iranian oil. Iran has used these resources to supercharge its terrorist proxies across the Middle East, including Hamas."

Rubio echoed Risch's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of not underestimating China's evasion of Iranian-related sanctions. He warned that failing to address this issue would increase the likelihood of further attacks similar to those that occurred on October 7. Rubio believes that enacting the End IT Act would strengthen deterrence and enhance the enforcement of sanctions.

The End Iranian Terrorism Act is a comprehensive effort to address the threat posed by Iran and its support for terrorist activities. By requiring the enforcement of existing sanctions and implementing measures to counter Iranian petroleum smuggling, the bill aims to limit Tehran's ability to fund terrorist organizations and destabilize the region.