U.S. House passes Iran sanctions act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure by a vote of 412 to 12 that will sanction companies that sell gasoline to Iran.

U.S. lawmakers late Tuesday passed the Iran Refined Sanctions Act that adds additional measures to the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act. The 1996 measure forbids companies from investing more than $20 million in the Iranian energy sector.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., whose early Iran Diplomatic Enhancement Act was used as a model for the bill, applauded the measure as a tool to hit Iran where it is the weakest.

Kirk said that under the 1996 measure, Washington must declare a violation before sanctions take effect, calling on U.S. President Barack Obama to enforce the latest measure.

"For the bill before us to succeed, the Iranians must believe it will be enforced," he said.

The measure was met with bipartisan praise. California's Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House, said Washington must have the means to persuade Iran to step in line with the international community.

"And we must use all of the tools at our disposal -- from diplomacy to sanctions -- to stop Iran's march toward nuclear capability," she added.