Dayton Reporter

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) has cosponsored the bipartisan Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, which aims to impose sanctions on foreign individuals involved in the transportation, processing, refining, or dealing of Iranian petroleum products. Introduced by Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), the SHIP Act has gained support from 214 members of the House of Representatives.

Turner expressed his concerns about Iran's support for terrorism, stating, "Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and has been using its oil sales to fund groups like Hamas and Hezbollah for years." He emphasized the need to cripple Iran's ability to finance terrorist networks by sanctioning foreign actors involved in Iranian petroleum exports. Turner also highlighted Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's call for Arab states to impose an oil embargo on Israel, stating that it is crucial to use all available resources to prevent Iran from furthering its global terror campaign.

Congressman Lawler joined the discussion, characterizing Iran as part of a new axis of evil that collaborates with Russia, China, and North Korea to evade international sanctions and bolster each other's economies. He emphasized the importance of the SHIP Act in preventing Iran from benefiting financially through its partnership with these countries, particularly in maritime trading with China. Given Iran's status as one of the largest state sponsors of terrorism and an enemy of Israel, Lawler emphasized the need for the United States to utilize all available tools to hold Iran accountable.

The Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act, or SHIP Act, requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals who knowingly offload, transport, transfer, or sell petroleum and petroleum products originating in Iran. These sanctions also extend to certain foreign persons associated with the sanctioned individuals, including adult relatives and entities owned or controlled by them.

Iran heavily relies on its oil exports, with 2021 data showing that exports accounted for 22.84 percent of Iran's gross domestic product, producing 2.4 million barrels per day. Malaysia received 46 percent of Iran's crude oil and condensate exports, while China received 28 percent. However, in August 2023, Iran's Oil Minister Javad Owji claimed that the country's production levels had risen to 3.3 million barrels per day.

The full text of the bill can be accessed here.

In summary, Congressman Mike Turner has joined as a cosponsor of the SHIP Act, which seeks to impose sanctions on foreign individuals involved in Iranian oil exports. Turner and Congressman Lawler emphasized the need to hold Iran accountable for its support of terrorism and prevent it from benefiting financially through its partnerships with other countries. The SHIP Act aims to block visas and properties of individuals involved in the transportation, processing, refining, or dealing of Iranian petroleum products. Iran heavily relies on its oil exports, and recent data shows an increase in production levels.

Click this link to access more information: https://turner.house.gov/2023/10/turner-cosponsors-legislation-to-impose-sanctions-targeting-iranian-oil-exports