US Republican lawmakers hope to impose new penalties on Iran over a series of charges, including its alleged destabilizing actions in neighboring Middle East nations, within the next few months.
Several GOP members are optimistic the administration of president-elect Donald Trump, which is to take office on January 20, would support additional actions, Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday.
While they wait, GOP leadership is preparing legislative options they believe will easily attract Trump's support, in view of his fierce opposition to last year's Iran nuclear deal and his harsh stances against the Islamic Republic.
Senior congressional aides expect within weeks a bill that would hike the tax rate and impose other penalties for companies doing business with Tehran.
The bill will just be the first in a series to test the international nuclear accord with Iran, which bans the US from imposing nuclear-related sanctions, but US lawmakers presume it does not prohibit the passage of additional non-nuclear sanctions against Iran's alleged interventions in the region, ballistic missile program and human rights record.
To that end, an additional bill under consideration would target the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps for extending advisory support to the Syrian Army in its campaign against foreign-backed militants.
Another would attempt to thwart major Boeing and Airbus deals with Iran's main airline, which Republicans claim provide dual civilian and military use and facilitate the transfer of weapons to Tehran's allies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push for an aggressive legislative agenda against Iran during his first trip to Trump's White House.
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