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• U.S. Department of State

Summary

According to the Administration, Iran is a major national security challenge for the United States. The Administration perception is generated primarily by Iran's nuclear program but is compounded by Iran's military assistance to armed groups in Iraq and Afghanistan and to the Palestinian group Hamas and Lebanese Hezbollah. However, the threat assessment of some other governments was lessened by the December 3, 2007 key judgements of a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) that indicates that Iran is likely not on a drive to develop an actual nuclear weapon. The Bush Administration argues that the NIE at least partly validates its approaches to containing the potential threat posed by Iran ­ strengthening international economic and political isolation of Iran to compel it to comply with international demands that it end its enrichment of uranium. Two U.N. resolutions (1737 and 1747) ban weapons of mass destruction (WMD)-related trade with Iran, freeze the assets of Iran's nuclear and related entities and personalities, prevent Iran from transferring arms outside Iran, and require reporting on international travel by named Iranians. With Iran still refusing to suspend enrichment, a modest further tightening of sanctions has been agreed to by the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and Germany. Separate U.S. efforts, showing some success, have included trying to persuade European governments to curb trade, investment, and credits to Iran; and pressuring foreign banks not to do business with Iran. However, a December 2007 GAO report on U.S. sanctions says the impact on Iran's economy is difficult to determine. To strengthen its diplomacy, the Administration has maintained a substantial naval presence in the Persian Gulf. The Administration has been strongly denying widespread speculation that it plans military action against Iran, but has refused to rule it out if no other efforts to curb Iran's uranium enrichment program succeed. Some in Congress seek to limit the President's authority to take unilateral military action against Iran. Some legislation passed by the House in the 110th Congress, including H.R. 1400 and H.R. 957, would increase U.S. sanctions on Iran -- both the U.S. trade ban and the Iran Sanctions Act that seeks to prevent foreign investment in Iran's energy sector. Other legislation, such as H.R. 1357, H.R. 2347 (passed by the House), and S.1430, promote divestment of companies that do business with Iran. Some in the Administration believe that only a change of Iran's regime would end the threat posed by Iran. On October 21, 2007, the Administration named several Revolutionary Guard entities and personalities as proliferators and supporters of terrorism, and the Guard's "Qods Force" as a terrorism supporter (but not as a foreign terrorist organization, FTO). For further information, see CRS Report RS20871, The Iran Sanctions Act (ISA), and CRS Report RS22323, Iran's Activities and Influence in Iraq, both by Kenneth Katzman, and CRS Report RS21592, Iran's Nuclear Program: Recent Developments. This report is updated regularly.

Related Legislation:
• H.R.1400
• H.R.957
• H.R.1357
• H.R.2347
• S.1430
• S.2087
• S.2232
• S.2159

Related Reports:
• RL32048
• RL32048
• RL32048

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