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Ted Cruz introduces bill to bar sanctioned Iranian officials from entering the UN Assembly in New York

The senator's proposal specifically bans entry to those sanctioned for supporting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz (File) / Kamil Krzaczynski

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz (File) / Kamil KrzaczynskiAFP

Agustina Blanco
Published by
Agustina Blanco

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions (SEVER) Act on Thursday, aimed at preventing sanctioned Iranian officials from entering the United States as representatives to the United Nations General Assembly (UN), whose high-level session begins on Monday in New York.

The proposal explicitly bans entry to those sanctioned for endorsing (or having been appointed) by the office of 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 reported by The Hill. “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.”

Cruz emphasized, "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."

Support

So far, joining as co-sponsors have been Republican Senators Tom Cotton (Arkansas), John Barrasso (Wyoming), Ashley Moody (Florida), Rick Scott (Florida) and Joni Ernst (Iowa).

The companion measure in the House of Representatives is led by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), who stated, “[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.

Tenney added, "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."

The U.N. Assembly

The 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly began on September 9, and the high-level meeting will begin on Monday. They are expected to address Iran's nuclear program, months after the U.S. strikes, as Tehran seeks to avoid the return of U.N. Security Council sanctions. President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will attend next week.

Additionally, an internal Department of State memo, reviewed by The Associated Press, proposes that Iranian officials require permission for purchases at stores such as Costco and Sam's Club.

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