UANI Applauds U.S. Treasury Dept. for Designating Iran Sanctions Violators, But Urges Reconsidering Renewal of Sanctions Waiver for Iran's State-Run Media Network IRIB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2014   Contact: Gabriel Pedreira, GPedreira@uani.com Phone: (212) 554-3296 UANI Applauds U.S. Treasury Dept. for Designating Iran Sanctions Violators, But Urges Reconsidering Renewal of Sanctions Waiver for Iran's State-Run Media Network IRIB New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) applauded the U.S. Department of the Treasury's action today against networks linked to "Iran's missile and nuclear programs, sanctions evasion efforts, and support for terrorism." Additionally, UANI urged the Obama administration to reconsider the six-month renewal of its waiver of sanctions on Iran's state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). IRIB is sanctioned by the U.S. for its involvement in the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, including the jamming of foreign broadcasts and the televising of forced confessions and show trials of political prisoners. UANI first criticized the administration's decision to waive sanctions on IRIB in February 2014 and called on the administration to reconsider this action given repeated administration pledges to fully enforce sanctions related to the Iranian regime's human rights violations. Regarding the administration's sanctions action today and renewal of the sanctions waiver on IRIB, UANI CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, said: We applaud Treasury for its action today. This is another reminder that doing illicit business with Iran can lead to serious financial and reputational harm. Businesses should understand that the risks of conducting business with Iran remain too high to permit a return to that market. We are still concerned, however, with the pace of Iran sanctions enforcement since President Rouhani's election. Today's action was Treasury's first Iran sanctions designations in more than 3 months. We call on the Obama administration to vigorously enforce sanctions throughout the duration of the Geneva Interim Agreement. Separately, we urge the Obama administration to reconsider its renewal of a sanctions waiver for IRIB. The administration has repeatedly pledged that the sanctions relief it granted Iran would not include human rights sanctions. The administration has failed to keep its promise and maintain sanctions on IRIB given IRIB's continued role in facilitating human rights abuses in Iran. Further, the administration says it renewed the waiver because the regime has ceased uplink satellite interference, but this has been nullified by the regime's continued localized downlink jamming of foreign broadcasts. Therefore, the administration's sanctions waiver is troubling. UANI's "Tech & Telecom Campaign" highlights the practices of firms that are involved in the Iranian regime's digital suppression of Iranians.   In previous responses to UANI's campaign, Spain's Hispasat, Hong Kong's Asiasat, Canada's Telesat, British telecommunications company Arqiva, and European satellite provider Eutelsat ceased the broadcast of regime programming. As a result of the U.S. sanctions waiver, Eutelsat and Intelsat have renewed their business with IRIB, despite the revenue being financially immaterial. Click here to learn more about UANI's Tech and Telecom campaign. Click here to view UANI's Geneva Interim Agreement Tracker. ### United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) is a program of the American Coalition Against Nuclear Iran, Inc., a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Objectives of United Against Nuclear Iran Inform the public about the nature of the Iranian regime, including its desire and intent to possess nuclear weapons, as well as Iran's role as a state sponsor of global terrorism, and a major violator of human rights at home and abroad; Heighten awareness nationally and internationally about the danger that a nuclear armed Iran poses to the region and the world; Mobilize public support, utilize media outreach, and persuade our elected leaders to voice a robust and united American opposition to a nuclear Iran; Lay the groundwork for effective US policies in coordination with European and other allies; Persuade the regime in Tehran to desist from its quest for nuclear weapons, while striving not to punish the Iranian people, and; Promote efforts that focus on vigorous national and international, social, economic, political and diplomatic measures.  UANI is led by an advisory board of outstanding national figures representing all sectors of our country.

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