Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Foundation for Defense of Democracies Executive Director Mark Dubowitz focuses with laserlike precision on the implementation of sanctions in response to Iran’s refusal to comply with its international obligations on its nuclear program.

FDD promotes energy sanctions on Iran as part of a comprehensive strategy to pressure the Iranian regime to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, support for terrorism, and brutal oppression of its own people. The Wall Street Journal credited FDD’s Iran Energy Project for having “brought the idea of gasoline sanctions to political attention.”

Foundation for Defense of Democracies Executive Director Mark Dubowitz focuses with laserlike precision on the implementation of sanctions in response to Iran’s refusal to comply with its international obligations on its nuclear program.

FDD promotes energy sanctions on Iran as part of a comprehensive strategy to pressure the Iranian regime to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, support for terrorism, and brutal oppression of its own people. The Wall Street Journal credited FDD’s Iran Energy Project for having “brought the idea of gasoline sanctions to political attention.”

The goals of the project are to deny the Iranian regime its energy revenues, highlight its hostile and repressive policies, and persuade it to abandon its nuclear pursuits.

Thanks in part to FDD’s research, President Obama signed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, strengthening energy sanctions. 32 countries representing more than a billion consumers have taken action against Iran, including, for the first time, the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

Reuters reports that shipments of refined gasoline to Iran plummeted by 50% between July and August 2010, and 90% from August 2009. As a result, Iran is reportedly paying a gasoline price premium of at least 25%.

According to the U.S. State Department, the threat of sanctions has induced international corporations to freeze or terminate up to $60 billion in energy investments in Iran, prompting Iran to scale back its plans to develop its enormous natural gas reserves.

FDD continues to monitor Iran’s energy sector for new entrants into the market, and any signs that companies are resuming business with Tehran.