Senate passes Iran sanctions bill

It will be interesting to see if it has any teeth. From AP, with thanks to JE:

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate, with no debate Saturday, passed and sent to the president legislation that would impose mandatory sanctions on entities that provide goods or services for Iran's weapons programs.
The Senate action came two days after the House approved the measure following a debate over the wisdom of toughening unilateral sanctions on Tehran at the same time the United States was trying to work with its U.N. partners on a multinational approach to Iran's nuclear threat.

Both chambers approved the measure, which sanctions any entity that contributes to Iran's ability to acquire chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, by voice vote.

8 Comments

Ronin | October 1, 2006 10:45 AM

At last a small sign they are starting to pay attention.

ZenaWarriorPrincess | October 1, 2006 12:14 PM

cant wait for the other shoe to fall on iran...

Kafir Nonbeliever | October 1, 2006 12:31 PM

Interesting that the MSM does not link this to directly to Russia, our reliable democratic 'European' ally. To them, and to the hordes of ignorant Americans, it will be news that Russia is arming Iran. Most recently, it was reported that extremely sophistacted anti aircraft weapon transfers are taking place between the two nations. Sanction Russia now.

Support Georgia.

ISLAMSFORLOSERS | October 1, 2006 1:59 PM

Finally, an article that hasn't attracted provacateurs and bomb throwers.

Anyway, it's about time somebody took this step-it's been a long time coming. It's not much but you have to start somewhere.

Islofob IS-1 | October 1, 2006 4:17 PM

And how is this going to work with Russia?We are in the process of building the ISS in orbit with the help of Russia. They are taking people up( for a price ), the last "visitor" paid 20 million dollars, and has contact with people from Iran.

Thought it was wrong years ago, we can do the station ourselves, too late now.

Nariz | October 1, 2006 7:06 PM

Most recently, it was reported that extremely sophistacted anti aircraft weapon transfers are taking place between the two nations. Sanction Russia now.

According to Iranian TV (Al Alam and IRIB), they have developed missles, supposedly on there own, that can defeat our stealth aircraft.. and they have taken rather sophisticated missles (which they build themselves, and claim that they developed) and can mount them on anything, including pleasure craft, pick ups, etc..

They have demonstrated their capabilities in their recent war games like the Blow of Zolfagar and Great Prophet.. Found this via ask.com

The March to War, Iran preparing for U.S. Air attacks

The Iranian military has also reported the testing of laser-guided weaponry, advanced torpedoes, ballistic missiles, anti-ship missiles, bullets that pierce through bullet-proof vests, and electronic military hardware during the Blow of Zolfaqar war games.6 Surface-to-surface and ocean-to-surface missiles (submarine-to-surface missiles) in the Persian Gulf were also tested in late-August 2006. These included missiles that are invisible to radar and can use multiple warheads or carry multiple payloads to hit numerous targets simultaneously. Iran has also tested a “2,000 pound guided-bomb with long-range capabilities.” This “2,000 pound bomb” is said to be a “special weapon developed for penetrating military, economic and strategic targets located deep underground or on the soil of the [impending] enemy.”7 In the case of war, this weapon could be directed against Anglo-American military infrastructure in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Persian Gulf. This guided bomb is an unmanned aircraft carrying an explosive warhead. Following the execution of the Blow of Zolfaqar war games, the Iranian Defense Minister stated that “Iran now joins the few countries that possess guided missile technology,”8
Iran has also been manufacturing its own warplanes,9 submarines, attack helicopters, tanks, torpedoes, and missiles. This includes remote-controlled modified Maverick Missiles.10 Brigadier-General Amini, the Deputy Commander of the Air Branch (Air Force) of the Regular Forces, has highlighted that Iran has starting the development and manufacturing of new types of warplanes besides the “Lighting fighter jets” that have been showcased in Northern Iran.11

To discourage the United States in its plans to attack Iran, the Iranian military has additionally been showcasing its abilities to dog fight in the air with its fighter jets.12 Iranian fighter and bomber jets have been progressively equipped with advanced software and hardware, developed in Iran or by way of technology transfers from China, the Russian Federation, and the republics of the former Soviet Union.

Iranian Commanders have also stated that Iran can track and hit warplanes without using conventional radar. Iran has also been showcasing its signal jamming devices and electronic military hardware, which it compares to NATO standards

choc | October 1, 2006 8:22 PM

The Iranians are a strong nation, they have not dealt with the US since the revolution and unlike the arab states who think that they need to be in the pocket of the US to survive the Persians have not suffered without them.

Do I detect sarcasm, or worry or incredulity that they cant build weopans themselves. We all now Western civilisation, or should I say dominance, was built on the invention of the gun.

unicorns62000 | October 2, 2006 5:31 PM

choc,

it waren't the gun, it wuz that europeans and european-descended peoples (Americans) are meaner and more ruthless than any other people on earth.

They have gone to every corner of the world, survived where others would have given up, ruthlessly waged battles, and only lately in their acestral continent have fallen under the spell of "all cultures are equally valuable and good for all of us."

And--here's the clincher: I ain't even European, -dscended nor otherwise.