The House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on a massive expansion of sanctions that target the Iranian public.

The proposed legislation is troubling. It limits the tools President Barack Obama has to address the threat posed by Iran through diplomacy. It reflects an escalation of the strategy that failed to stem Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons during the Bush era.

We need you to contact your Representative in Congress. Say that you oppose HR 2194 in its current form and ask that he or she work to see this legislation amended before it becomes law.

Click here to write your Representative.

Sanctions can be a powerful tool for putting pressure on Iran if they target Iran's leaders. But sanctions that focus on the Iranian people are morally and strategically perilous.

We should not repeat the mistakes of the past: In Iraq, Cuba, Gaza, and Iran sanctions have caused tremendous human suffering but failed to force a change in governmental policy.

These new sanctions could prove counterproductive. Indeed, experience has demonstrated that with sanctions like these, the most likely result will be a backlash by the people of Iran against the United States, not against the Iranian regime.

In an effort to broaden debate on this legislation, APN has prepared a table containing a section-by-section analysis of the bill, including simple amendments that could be made to improve it.  

Click here to download this analysis as a PDF file.

For decades, U.S. policy towards Iran was based on trying to threaten, browbeat and sanction Iran into submission. This strategy failed to stop Iran's nuclear program or end its reckless meddling in the region. Now, President Obama is trying an approach based on diplomatic engagement. This approach deserves Congressional support.

Sincerely,

Noam Shelef
Director of Strategic Communications
Americans for Peace Now

P.S. APN is a driving force on questions related to the U.S. approach to the Middle East. Click here to learn more about our Iran positioning.