House OKs Iran sanctions

WASHINGTON – The House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to slap sanctions on Iran’s energy, shipping and financial industries, convinced that increasing the economic pressure on Tehran will force it to abandon its suspected nuclear weapons program.

By a vote of 421-6, the House backed the legislation that builds on the current penalties directed at financial institutions that do business with Iran’s central bank. The Senate is expected to easily pass the measure and send it to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The legislation would impose sanctions on anyone who mines uranium with Iran; sells, leases or provides oil tankers to Tehran; or provides insurance to the National Iranian Tanker Co., the state-run shipping line. The bill seeks to undermine Iran’s ability to repatriate revenue from the sale of crude oil.