Gasoline Sanctions Needed to Force Iran’s Hand on Nuclear Program

Revelation of Second Nuclear Site Shows Need for Crippling Pressure

Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2009) – The revelation that Iran has built a second, previously undisclosed nuclear enrichment facility shows the need to move forward with crippling gasoline sanctions, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said today.

“Time is running out to peacefully prevent the Islamist regime in Iran from passing the point of no return in its nuclear weapons program,” said FDD Executive Director Mark Dubowitz. “Iran's need to import up to 40% of the gasoline it uses is the regime's economic Achilles' heel.

“Gasoline sanctions should be pursued even as the Obama administration prepares to begin negations with Iran in October,” added Dubowitz, who leads FDD's Iran Energy Project. “This will strengthen our negotiating hand and is more appropriate now than ever-given the revelation that the regime failed to disclose its second enrichment site as required by international law.”

Dubowitz said that even if the United Nations fails to impose meaningful gasoline sanctions, the United States can act to stop much of the gasoline that Iran needs from being delivered and raise the cost to the regime. Legislation pending in the House and Senate, including the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, would sanction any company supporting the gasoline trade with Iran, including energy companies, shipping companies, and insurance companies.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies has researched the handful of energy companies that supply Iran with gasoline and identified significant points of leverage that can be used to convince them to end their trade.

FDD will be hosting a reporter roundtable briefing on the next possible steps with regard to Iran, particularly the use of gasoline sanctions, on Tuesday September 29^th. If you are interested in attending please contact Judy Mayka at [email protected] for more information.

For more information on FDD's Iran Energy Project, the companies supplying Iran, and ways to significantly reduce Iran's gasoline imports, please visit IranEnergyProject.org or contact Judy Mayka at [email protected] or (202) 207-3698.