Donnelly Statement on Reports of U.S. Considering Easing Restrictions Regarding Use of U.S. Currency in Business Transactions with Iran

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly released the following statement today after recent news reports indicated that the U.S. Treasury Department may be considering allowing the use of U.S. currency for business transactions involving Iran, which is currently prohibited. 

Donnelly said, “I have always believed that the success of the JCPOA (Iran Nuclear Agreement) depends on rigorous monitoring and enforcement, and I remain committed to ensuring that Iran maintains its commitments under the agreement.  So long as Iran continues to finance terrorism and advance its ballistic missile program, I will work to maintain current policies that prevent Iran from using the U.S. financial system. I look forward to being briefed by Treasury on any changes to US policy or guidance offered to our international partners regarding compliance with the JCPOA.” 

Donnelly is a member of the Senate Banking Committee which oversees U.S. sanctions against Iran and is Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which oversees nuclear weapons, nuclear non-proliferation efforts, and missile defense programs. He returned Sunday from leading a week-long, five-country congressional delegation to the Middle East and Europe focused on countering the threat of Iran’s ballistic missiles and combating their support for terrorism.