FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jamal Abdi

Phone: (206) 369-2069

Email: Jamal@niacaction.org

Washington, D.C. – Jamal Abdi, Executive Director of NIAC Action, issued the following statement in response to President Trump signing the ‘‘Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act’’:

“Buried within the Russia and North Korea sanctions are dangerous and controversial Iran sanctions that will likely backfire against us. These Iran sanctions are a threat to the nuclear agreement and give Donald Trump new tools to significantly escalate tensions in the Middle East. Trump has made no secret of his intent to exit the Iran nuclear agreement, regardless of the immense costs to U.S. interests. Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly considering a regime-change strategy for Iran similar to what the U.S. did with Iraq.

“Steve Bannon and other administration hardliners have been tasked with formulating Trump’s reckless new strategy towards Iran and Congress just gave them new tools to do so.

“The alarm bells should be ringing but instead of restraining Trump’s reckless inclinations on Iran, Congress appears to be actively encouraging him.

“The Iran sanctions also risk pushing the U.S. into violation of the nuclear accord by obligating the Trump administration to redesignate entities scheduled for sanctions relief. Congress has now left it up to Donald Trump to navigate these pitfalls to ensure the continued successful implementation of the nuclear accord.

“We urge that lawmakers voice their concerns with Trump’s approach to Iran and demand that these sanctions be coupled with a strategy that include diplomacy, actively upholding the nuclear deal, and avoiding a war of choice.”