US sanctions expected against Iran for its destructive role in Yemen

The US Congress is considering a bill to impose new sanctions on Iran for its destructive role in Yemen and its policies to destabilize the country by supporting Houthi militias and supplying them with weapons.

According to The Hill news portal, which covers congressional news, the project was prepared by Republican Rep. Elena Rose Lehtinen of Florida and Ted Poe of Texas, senior members of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee, to punish Iran for supporting the Houthi rebels in Yemen and for sending Revolutionary Guards and weapons to the Houthis.

"It is necessary to hold the Iranians accountable for their involvement in the unrest and the ongoing war in Yemen," Ted Bo said in a statement.

The bill sends a clear message to Tehran that it can either halt its activities or go with the option of facing sanctions.

The bill comes ahead of the House of Representatives debate on a two-bill vote on Iran this week, as the Treasury Department is due to report on how to review US sanctions to prevent Iranian officials from using funds to develop ballistic missile technology as well as stop financial transactions related to commercial aircraft sales to Iran.

Last October, the House of Representatives passed legislation to expand sanctions on Iran for developing ballistic missiles and supporting Hezbollah militants.

The new sanctions came weeks after US President Donald Trump refused to ratify Iran's compliance with the nuclear deal, giving Congress 60 days to reinstate sanctions, some of which were lifted under the deal.

source: Alarabiya