THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
July 1, 2010
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT SIGNING OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT
East Room
6:30 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please have a seat, everybody. Good
evening, everybody. As President, one of my highest national security
priorities is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. That's why my
administration has aggressively pursued a comprehensive agenda of
non-proliferation and nuclear security.
Leading by example, we agreed with Russia to reduce our nuclear
arsenals through the New START Treaty ---- and I've urged the Senate to
move forward with ratification this year. And with allies and
partners, we've strengthened the global non-proliferation regime,
including the cornerstone of our efforts ----the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Now, in the entire world, there is only one signatory to the NPT ----
only one ---- that has been unable to convince the International Atomic
Energy Agency that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. One
nation. And that nation is Iran. For years, the Iranian government
has violated its commitments, defied United Nations Security Council
resolutions, and forged ahead with its nuclear program ---- all while
supporting terrorist groups and suppressing the aspirations of the
Iranian people.
Since taking office, I've made it clear that the United States was
prepared to begin a new chapter of engagement with the Islamic Republic
of Iran. We offered the Iranian government a clear choice. It could
fulfill its international obligations and realize greater security,
deeper economic and political integration with the world, and a better
future for all Iranians. Or it could continue to flout its
responsibilities and face even more pressure and isolation.
To date, Iran has chosen the path of defiance. That's why we have
steadily built a broader and deeper coalition of nations to pressure
the Iranian government. Last month, we joined with our partners at the
U.N. Security Council to pass the toughest and most comprehensive
multilateral sanctions that the Iranian government has ever faced.
(Applause.) And I want to specifically single out our tireless -- and
I mean tireless -- Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, for
her terrific -- (applause.)
As I said last month, we are going to make sure that these sanctions
are vigorously enforced. At the same time, we'll work with our allies
and friends to refine and enforce our own sanctions on Iran. And
that's exactly what we've been doing. Here in the United States ----
thanks to the efforts of my Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, and Under
Secretary Stuart Levey ---- (applause) -- they have been terrific on
this effort; Stuart has been just outstanding -- we have imposed
sanctions against more institutions, more individuals involved with
Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
Other nations are now acting alongside us -- nations like Australia,
which announced new sanctions, including those against a major Iranian
bank and Iran's shipping company. The European Union is moving ahead
with additional strong measures against Iran's financial, banking,
insurance, transportation, and energy sectors, as well as Iran's
Revolutionary Guard. Other countries, like Canada, have indicated they
will also be taking action. In other words, we are ratcheting up the
pressure on the Iranian government for its failure to meet its
obligations.
And today, we're taking another step ---- a step that demonstrates the
broad and bipartisan support for holding Iran accountable. I'm pleased
to sign into law the toughest sanctions against Iran ever passed by the
United States Congress ---- the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions,
Accountability, and Divestment Act. (Applause.)
I want to thank all the members of Congress who worked on behalf of
this legislation, including another tireless person, but who never
seems to break a sweat -- the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
(Applause.) I want to thank Representatives Steny Hoyer and Eric
Cantor for doing outstanding work. (Applause.) Although they weren't
able to join us, I want to acknowledge Senators Harry Reid, Jon Kyl and
Richard Shelby. And I want to thank those who led the effort to forge
a final bill that received overwhelming bipartisan support ---- Senator
Chris Dodd and Representative Howard Berman. Thank you for your good
work. (Applause.)
Consistent with the Security Council mandate, this legislation
strengthens existing sanctions, authorizes new ones and supports our
multilateral diplomatic strategy to address Iran's nuclear program. It
makes it harder for the Iranian government to purchase refined
petroleum and the goods, services and materials to modernize Iran's oil
and natural gas sector. It makes it harder for the Revolutionary
Guards and banks that support Iran's nuclear programs and terrorism to
engage in international finance. It says to companies seeking
procurement contracts with the United States government ---- if you
want to do business with us, you first have to certify that you're not
doing prohibited business with Iran.
In short, with these sanctions ---- along with others ---- we are
striking at the heart of the Iranian government's ability to fund and
develop its nuclear program. We're showing the Iranian government that
its actions have consequences. And if it persists, the pressure will
continue to mount, and its isolation will continue to deepen. There
should be no doubt ---- the United States and the international
community are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear
weapons.
Finally, even as we increase pressure on the Iranian government, we're
sending an unmistakable message that the United States stands with the
Iranian people as they seek to exercise their universal rights. This
legislation imposes sanctions on individuals who commit serious human
rights abuses. And it exempts from our trade embargo technologies that
allow the Iranian people to access information and communicate freely.
In Iran and around the world, the United States of America will
continue to stand with those who seek justice and progress and the
human rights and dignity of all people.
So, again, this is not a day that we sought ---- but it is an outcome
that was chosen by the Iranian government when it repeatedly failed to
meet its responsibilities. And the government of Iran still has a
choice. The door to diplomacy remains open. Iran can prove that its
intentions are peaceful. It can meet its obligations under the NPT and
achieve the security and prosperity worthy of a great nation.
It can have confidence in the Iranian people and allow their rights to
flourish. For Iranians are heirs to a remarkable history. They are
renowned for their talents and their contributions to humanity. Here
in the United States, Iranian-Americans have thrived. And within Iran,
there's great potential for the Iranian people to forge greater
prosperity through deeper integration with the international community,
including with the United States.
That's the future we do seek --- one where Iran's leaders do not hold
their own people back by failing to live up to Iran's international
obligations, and where Iran can reclaim its place in the community of
nations and find greater peace and prosperity.
That is the Iranian government's choice. And it remains our hope that
they choose this path, even as we are clear-eyed and vigilant about the
difficult challenges ahead.
So, with that, I will sign this legislation into law.
(The bill is signed.)
END 6:40 P.M. EDT
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