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Under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, anti-terrorism executive orders, the Global Magnitsky executive order, and other laws permitting sanctions on corrupt foreign officials, the top leaders of the Islamic regime, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi, and their respective offices, are subjected to U.S. sanctions. This is due to their sponsorship of terrorism that threatens Americans and ongoing efforts to actively repress and brutally assault Iranian protestors.

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act. This bipartisan legislation would require an assessment of whether or not sanctions should be imposed on top leaders of the oppressive Islamic regime, the Supreme Leader of Iran, and the President of Iran, due to human rights violations in Iran. 

• “The Ayatollah’s systematic human rights violations against the Iranian people are barbaric. As a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the Iranian regime has actively wreaked havoc against its own people and countless other nations. The U.S. must evaluate and re-amp economic pressure against Senior Iranian regime officials who are actively partaking in the crackdown of Iranian protestors and civilians.” – Senator Rubio

• “Iranian protesters have demonstrated tremendous courage in voicing their outrage toward the Iranian regime after the brutal murder of Mahsa Amini. We must do our part to hold Iranian leaders accountable for their violent crackdown of these protests and the regime’s ongoing repression, censorship, and abuse against its people. I have supported multiple resolutions condemning the regime for Ms. Amini’s death and will continue to defend the rights of the Iranian people to bravely protest for their fundamental freedoms.” – Senator Padilla

U.S. Representatives Jim Banks (R-IN) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House. 

Specifically, this bill would: 

• Require a report to Congress in 90 days regarding each foreign person described as responsible for human rights violations in Iran, the Supreme Leader, the President of Iran, and entities overseen by their offices; and 

• Impose applicable sanctions on those identified individuals through sanctions available through various Executive Orders, including EO 13224 on terrorism, 13818 on human rights, and 13553 on Iran’s nuclear programs. 

Want more information?

• June 2023: Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Establish Additional Sanctions on Iranian Regime
• September 2022: Rubio, Ernst, Waltz Introduce Bill to Sanction Iran for Plotting to Assassinate Americans