Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act of 2009. The legislation, which the congresswoman co-sponsored, was passed in an effort to urge Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment program.

“Passage of this legislation today ensures that President Obama has every option at his disposal to address Iran’s nuclear threat. Iran’s nuclear program poses a grave danger to the world and this legislation reaffirms our nation’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy by increasing pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear weapons program.

“Despite being one of the largest producers of crude oil in the world, Iran lacks adequate refining capability to meet its own domestic needs for gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel.  This legislation will increase pressure on Tehran by imposing sanctions on companies providing refined petroleum to Iran or transporting, insuring, or financing refined petroleum deliveries. It also targets companies that help Iran expand its own domestic refining capacity.”

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