US unveils curbs to target Iran's partners
Foreign Desk Report

WASHINGTON—The US Congress has given its final approval to a new set of sanctions targeting Iran -- as well as countries that cooperate with it in the nuclear field and sell advanced weaponry.
But mindful of the situation in Iraq, lawmakers warned that nothing in this document should be "construed as authorizing the use of force against Iran."
Although it does not name any countries by name, the measure is seen as a clear warning to Russia and China, two key members of the UN Security Council that have been resisting calls for new international sanctions against Tehran in response to its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.
Russia has been involved in a 800-million-dollar project to help Iran build a nuclear power plant in Bushehr and selling modern weaponry, while China has been accused of supplying the Islamic republic with advanced missile technology.
The bill that passed by the Senate in pre-dawn hours by voice vote and cleared the House of Representatives a day earlier came as Iran and the European Union are engaged in delicate negotiations designed to persuade Iran to halt its enrichment work and avoid a major international showdown.
The Iran Freedom Support Act states that it should be the policy of the United States "not to bring into force an agreement for cooperation with the government of any country that is assisting the nuclear program of Iran or transferring advanced conventional weapons or missiles."
The measure calls for this policy to remain in effect until Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities, committed to verifiably and permanently refrain from such nuclear work in the future or the targeted country has severed ties with its Iranian partners.
The president has been granted the right to waive provisions of the bill, if he finds that US national security interests warrant it.
The bill also authorizes the president to provide financial and political assistance to foreign and Iranian individuals and organizations that promote democracy for Iran.
But to qualify for such aid they will have to commit to nuclear non-proliferation.
Under the measure, the US government may also award grants to pro-democracy radio and television stations that broadcast into Iran.
President George W. Bush is expected to sign the bill into law.—Agencies