With the policy goal of deterring any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons, this bill would strengthen sanctions on Iran. Inter alia, it would require the president to impose sanctions on any Iranian government agency involved in ballistic missile development, any foreign entity supporting Iran’s ballistic missile program in any way, and any other entity providing or receiving goods or technologies that would contribute to Iran’s ability to acquire or develop ballistic missiles. Persons sanctioned under this bill would be denied visas to enter the U.S. and barred from transacting in U.S. property.
In terms of oversight, the president would be required to report to Congress on the global supply chain that supports Iran’s ballistic missile program, including any key individuals or companies; any credible information indicating that a “destabilizing” amount of conventional weapons has been sold or transferred to Iran; and any credible evidence of potential Iranian violations of UNSC Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 7/14/15 Iran nuclear deal (If credible evidence points to the fact of an Iranian missile test, the president would be required to determine who is responsible and whether they should be subject to sanctions under this bill). The president would also be required to report to Congress within 30 days of any Iranian ballistic missile tests, including a list of senior officials responsible for ordering or otherwise directing them; annually on all Iranian ballistic missiles and space rockets launched during the preceding calendar year; and make a determination every 6 months about whether or not the Iranian government has used commercial aircraft for illicit military activities.
Support for this bill was a key “ask” at AIPAC’s annual policy conference in late 3/2017. The House passed it 2 weeks after Pres. Trump first said he would not certify that Iran was complying with the 7/14/15 nuclear deal, which is formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
See also: S. 722 of 3/23/17, which was also introduced the week of AIPAC’s annual conference.