Bill Summary
The "Reinforcing Sanctions on Iranian Terrorists Act" aims to strengthen sanctions against Mahan Air, an airline implicated in supporting terrorist activities, particularly those linked to the Iranian government and its military operations. The bill outlines that Mahan Air was designated as a Specially Designated National in 2011 due to its involvement in facilitating the transportation of fighters and arms for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, particularly in conflict zones like Syria. The legislation mandates that the President must evaluate and potentially impose sanctions on the Iran Airports Company, which manages civilian airports that support Mahan Air's operations, within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This action is intended to further restrict financial and operational support for Mahan Air and enhance efforts to combat terrorism linked to Iran.
Possible Impacts
The "Reinforcing Sanctions on Iranian Terrorists Act," particularly with respect to Mahan Air, could affect people in several ways:
1. **Impact on Travelers**: Individuals seeking to travel to or from destinations served by Mahan Air may face disruptions. Sanctions could lead to the airline being unable to operate certain routes, thereby limiting travel options for both Iranian citizens and foreign visitors who rely on Mahan Air for flights to and from Iran.
2. **Economic Consequences for Employees**: Employees of Mahan Air and those working in related sectors, such as airport operations or tourism, may experience job losses or reduced wages if the airline faces financial strain due to sanctions. This could result in increased unemployment rates in regions dependent on these jobs, particularly in Iran where the economy may already be fragile.
3. **International Relations and Diplomacy**: The enforcement of sanctions against Mahan Air could strain relations between the United States and other countries that may have business or diplomatic ties with Iran. People in these countries might experience the fallout from diminished trade relations, travel restrictions, or heightened tensions, potentially affecting their daily lives, business operations, and international cooperation on various issues.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1489 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1489
To provide for the application of sanctions regarding Mahan Air.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 21, 2025
Mr. Mills (for himself, Ms. Salazar, Mr. Babin, Mr. Wilson of South
Carolina, and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the application of sanctions regarding Mahan Air.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reinforcing Sanctions on Iranian
Terrorists Act''.
SEC. 2. APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS REGARDING MAHAN AIR.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Mahan Air was added on October 12, 2011, to the
Specially Designated Nationals list maintained by the Office of
Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury,
freezing its assets under United States jurisdiction and
prohibiting transactions with United States parties, pursuant
to Executive Order 13224 (September 23, 2001; relating to
blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who
commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism), which
targets terrorists and their supporters.
(2) In announcing additional sanctions against Mahan Air on
March 24, 2016, the Department of the Treasury stated that
``Based in Tehran, Iran, Mahan Air has facilitated [Islamic
Revolutionary Guards Corps--Qods Force] transportation and arms
and funds shipments. Mahan Air also continues to support the
Iranian government's destabilizing actions in the region by
conducting flights to Syria in order to transport fighters.
Mahan Air regularly uses the same aircraft it flies to Syria to
fly commercial passenger routes to international destinations
in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.''.
(3) Mahan Air reportedly serves the following destinations
in Iran: Abadan Airport, Ahvaz International Airport, Ardabil
Airport, Persian Gulf Airport, Bandar Abbas International
Airport, Birjand International Airport, Bojnord International
Airport, Iranshahr Airport, Isfahan International Airport,
Kalaleh Airport, Kerman Airport, Shahid Ashrafi Esffahani
Airport, Khorramabad Airport, Kish Airport, Larestan
International Airport, Mashhad International Airport, Queshm
International Airport, Sahahdaj Airport, Dasht-e Naz Airport,
Shiraz International Airport, Sirjan Airport, Tabriz
International Airport, Tehran Imam Khomeini International
Airport, Mehrabad International Airport, Zabol Airport, Zahedan
International Airport, and Zanjan Airport.
(4) The Iran Airports Company, a State-owned enterprise, is
the holding and operating company for civilian airports in Iran
that facilitates Mahan Air's operations.
(5) Foreign persons that assist in, sponsor, or provide
financial, material, or technological support for, or financial
or other services to or in support of Mahan Air should be
subject to United States sanctions pursuant to Executive Order
13224.
(b) Determination.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the President shall transmit to
the appropriate congressional committees a determination as to
whether to apply sanctions, in whole or in part, with respect
to the Iran Airports Company pursuant to Executive Order 13224.
(2) Form.--The determination required by paragraph (1)
shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a
classified annex.
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