US Looks at Intensifying Sanctions Against Syria

Over a quarter of the Syrian regime’s revenue comes from the sale of oil, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

FDD Executive Director Mark Dubowitz assessed that sanctions on Syria targeted at this sector would also create hardship for Iran, because Tehran is so concerned about the fate of its closest Arab ally that it has promised Assad nearly $6 billion in loans and 290,000 barrels of oil a day.

“Syrian energy sanctions could both tighten the screws on Assad and cost Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei more of the resources he needs to withstand Western pressure on his battered regime,” Dubowitz said in welcoming the proposed legislation.