Washington, D.C. – Today, one day after the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the Committee, issued the following statement on the latest International Atomic Energy Agency report, which confirms that Iran continues to march ahead with its nuclear weapons program.  The report reveals that since its last report in February, Iran has installed hundreds of new uranium enrichment centrifuges at Natanz and is making quick progress toward starting operations on its heavy water reactor at Arak, which will produce plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons.

Chairman Royce said: 

“These major steps forward for Iran’s nuclear weapons program have taken place while the regime in Tehran has been cynically engaged in negotiations with the United States and the international community. Clearly these efforts at stopping Tehran have failed, and Iran is advancing its nuclear program with great determination.   

“Inaction is not an option; every day brings Iran closer to the bomb.  Yesterday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed the bipartisan bill, H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, which Ranking Member Eliot Engel and I introduced.  Now with 349 cosponsors, this legislation will impose tough new sanctions on Iran that attack its oil exports, hit its brutal leaders and deny it access to overseas cash.  If we truly want to see Iran’s march toward nuclear weapons ended by peaceful means, crippling sanctions must be enacted right away and be fully enforced.” 

Note:  Information on H.R. 850, the Nuclear Iran Prevention Act, is available HERE.

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