BURSTSen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is seeking to bar sanctioned Iranian officials from entering the U.S. ahead of the United Nations General Assembly debate slated for next week.
Cruz introduced the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions (SEVER) Act on Thursday, which would prohibit Iranian officials from entering the U.S. as representatives to the U.N. if they are sanctioned for backing or were appointed by the office of the Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“The Iranian regime and the corrupt officials who run it are responsible for the murder, injury, and kidnapping of thousands of Americans," Cruz said in a statement. "The Ayatollah means it when he chants ‘Death to America,’ and the United States has developed and imposed sanctions to counter the threats posed by him and those directly around him."
“If you are a crony of the Ayatollah who has been sanctioned by the U.S., it means that you pose a threat to the safety and security of Americans, and you should not be allowed on American soil – let alone to engage in diplomacy at the United Nations General Assembly,” he added.
So far, GOP Sens. Tom Cotton (Fla.), John Barrasso (Wyo.), Ashley Moody (Fla.), Rick Scott (Fla.) and Joni Ernst (Iowa) have joined as co-sponsors. The companion measure in the House is being led by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.).
“[Iran’s] President Masoud Pezeshkian, like his predecessors, is part of a regime that funds terrorism, destabilizes the Middle East, brutalizes the Iranian people, and has actively targeted Americans. No government official that is part of this despotic regime should ever be permitted to set foot on American soil to spread propaganda or legitimize tyranny," Tenney said in a statement.
“The SEVER Act will give President Trump the authority to ensure the United States is never a platform for terrorists and tyrants that threaten American citizens," she added.
The 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly opened Sept. 9. The first day of the “high-level” meeting will kick off in New York City on Monday.
Representatives are expected to touch on Iran’s nuclear program, months after the U.S. attacks, as Tehran is looking to stave off the return of U.N. Security Council sanctions.
Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi are expected to be at the U.N. meeting next week.
The U.S. was weighing imposing travel and other restrictions on a number of foreign delegations, including Iran’s, limiting their travel outside of New York City earlier this month.
One proposal floated would prevent Iranian officials from shopping at Costco and Sam’s Club by first getting permission from the State Department, according to an internal State Department memo that was reviewed by The Associated Press.