B’nai B’rith International commends the Senate for passing legislation that would allow for increased sanctions against Iran in an effort to stop Tehran’s quest to develop nuclear weapons.Under the measure (S.2799), businesses that provide Iran with gasoline, or help Iran build up its refineries, would not have access to financial help from U.S. banks. Oil-rich Iran imports about 40 percent of its gasoline for domestic use, so denying access to imported refined petroleum could severely drain Iran’s economy. And foreign companies that do business with Iran’s energy industry would be barred from selling goods to the U.S. government.

“This vote is as important for the actual sanctions it would impose as it is for the message it sends,” said B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick. “Tough sanctions are a vital step in efforts to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.”

“We cannot allow a world leader who has vowed to wipe Israel off the map to have nuclear weapons,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “Harsh, enforceable sanctions, such as those passed by the Senate, are a critical tool to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons program.”

The House last month passed similar legislation and we urge the Senate and the House to work quickly to reconcile their separate bills.