Ahead of a major speech this weekend, dissidents of Iranian government in the IS Congress have been demanding the State Department to reverse a years-long policy that prevents the United States from sanctioning Iran's propaganda network, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).
"IRIB commits serious human rights abuses and should be subject to US sanctions—the secretary should use his speech as the backdrop to announce just that," claimed Goldberg, currently a senior adviser to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Senior congressional officials also have been met with resistance when petitioning the State Department to clarify their position on IRIB sanctions and issuing another waiver.
Leading member of Congress also questioned the nature of the Obama administration's deal to waive IRIB sanctions and the Trump administration continuation of this policy.
"Congress needs to get more information about this specific waiver and why waiving such sanctions is necessary at this moment given that the protesters are calling for more sanctions against Iran.”
Also, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei stated in Eid-al Fitr Prayer sermon that "Today, the enemy’s conspiracy constitutes putting economic pressures on the Iranian people, to make the people tired and hopeless, be aware of this; We should all work hard against their plots. Members of the Islamic government and authorities must also work hard, the collection of governing entities established by the officials of the three branches".
He poignantly added: "IRIB has drawn up detailed plans to defeat this US strategy. Our programmes are designed to give hope to the population, to inspire people , to give them hope about their future. We will counter the American strategy".
Meanwhile, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that US sanctions creates problems in people’s lives in Iran and is an international crime.
US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was walking away from the nuclear agreement.
Trump also said he would reinstate US nuclear sanctions on Iran and impose “the highest level” of economic bans on the Islamic Republic.
Under the JCPOA, Iran undertook to put limits on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran.
