Ricketts Leads Bicameral Legislation Pushing European Allies to Snapback U.N. Sanctions on Iran
February 13, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced bicameral legislation that would push the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, otherwise known as the E3, to start a snapback of U.N. sanctions on Iran. These snapback sanctions would incude export controls, travel bans, asset freezes, and other restrictions on those involved in Iranian nuclear and missile activities. U.S. Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) introduced bipartisan companion legislation in the House.
“Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism, and their actions have led to the murder of American servicemembers,” Senator Ricketts said. “Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon would threaten our security and the security of our allies. Snapback sanctions are key to ensuring that President Trump’s maximum pressure campaign is successful. This legislation delivers a strong message to our European allies. They need to step up.”
“Under the Biden administration, Iran grew more emboldened, bolstering its terrorist proxies worldwide with training, funding, and intelligence—all while expanding its nuclear stockpile,” Rep. Tenney said. “In contrast, within his first month in office, President Trump has taken decisive action to counter Iran’s malign influence and has pledged to reinstate his Maximum Pressure campaign. However, our E3 allies must invoke snapback sanctions on Iran before the ability to do so expires this October. Invoking snapback sanctions will restore all the UN sanctions on Iran that were lifted by the Obama administration’s failed Iran nuclear deal. This bicameral and bipartisan resolution sends a strong message to the E3 that it needs to step up and stop enabling Iran’s nuclear expansion. The time for snapback is now.”
“We cannot forget where the money ends up when sanctions are lifted on Iran — the world’s leading state sponsor of terror,” Rep. Gottheimer said. “The Iranian regime continues to finance a robust network of terrorist proxies, including Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, while actively trying to jumpstart their nuclear program. These actions pose a grave threat to the security and stability of the Middle East, our key democratic ally Israel, and the entire world. Our E3 allies must act swiftly and initiate snapback sanctions to curb Iran’s nuclear and other nefarious ambitions.”
Ricketts’ bill is co-sponsored by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Jim Justice (R-WV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Todd Young (R-IN).
Text of the legislation can be found here. Bill introduction was first covered by Fox News here.
Ricketts announced the legislation yesterday in a conference call with Nebraska media.
BACKGROUND:
Specifically, the legislation:
- Recognizes that Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon would threaten the security of the United States, our allies, and our partners;
- Condemns Iran’s flagrant and repeated violations of the first Iran nuclear deal;
- Condemns Communist China and Putin’s Russia for supporting Iran’s malign activities;
- Reaffirms America’s right to take any necessary measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons;
- Supports increased sanctions on entities and individuals supporting Iran’s nuclear program;
- Calls on the United Kingdom, France, and Germany to invoke the snapback of United Nations sanctions against Iran under U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231 as soon as possible.