Though oil-rich, Iran imports about 40 percent of its gasoline. Hampering access to that much refined petroleum could have a dramatic impact on the Iranian economy. Under the bill, foreign companies that sell refined petroleum to Iran would not be allowed to do business in U.S. markets.

“We strongly commend the House’s recognition of the growing danger of the Iranian nuclear program,” B’nai B’rith President Dennis W. Glick said. “This regime has ignored all efforts at diplomatic solutions to the nuclear situation. Harsh sanctions, backed by the international community, are urgently needed to convince Iran that its pursuit of nuclear weapons is untenable. The House vote sets very clear parameters.”

The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (the United States, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom) plus Germany united in negotiating efforts to have Iran send its uranium out of the country to be enriched. Tehran seemed to accept and then reject various incarnations of the plan before finally outright rejecting all offers, and then declaring its intention to build 10 more uranium enrichment facilities. Time and again, Tehran demonstrates its defiance of international norms.

On Dec. 16, Iran successfully tested a long-range missile—yet another demonstration of its insolence.

“The overwhelming vote in the House demonstrates just how serious the threat from Iran is,” B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “A nuclear Iran has chilling global implications. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has defied the United Nations and the international community at every turn. These severe sanctions send a clear signal that it is past time to wait for Iran to negotiate in good faith.”

B’nai B’rith International urges the Senate to act quickly on its own version of the bill.