Washington, DC – On Monday, Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, Congressman Dean Phillips (D-MN), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY), introduced the Block the Use of Transatlantic Technology in Iranian Made Drones Act of 2023.

Russia’s use of Iranian made drones is a direct concern for both U.S. and European security.  During their invasion of Ukraine, Russia has used these drones to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure and locations actively used by civilians.  When the drones were analyzed, it was found that some were made with components designed and built by U.S. and European companies.  Despite significant sanctions imposed, U.S. and E.U. technology continues to be transferred to Iranian entities due to their dual use properties. The Block the Use of Transatlantic Technology in Iranian Made Drones Act of 2023 would take steps to prevent this from continuing.

“Russia’s use of Iranian made drones is a critical threat to Ukraine and the transatlantic alliance at large.  We must work with our allies to counter this threat and ensure that our technology cannot be used in the development or deployment of these drones,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “This legislation requires the Departments of State, Commerce, and Defense to develop interagency strategies to prevent our technology from being used in Iranian drones.”

“It is inexcusable that American products are being used on Iranian drones which are deployed to attack our allies and murder civilians. We must use every tool at our disposal to stop American innovation from being weaponized by our adversaries,” said Rep. Wilson.

“From gathering intelligence on Ukrainian military positions for Russia to attacking U.S. personnel in Syria, the Iranian regime’s expansive use and export of drones is wreaking havoc worldwide,” Phillips said. “The Biden Administration must continue to prioritize this work across the interagency and with allies to ensure U.S. materials are not used by Iran for bad-faith activities. I am proud to co-lead this critical legislation and support the Administration’s efforts to prevent the proliferation of Iranian drones.”

"Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, and the recent findings that it is assisting Russian forces is Ukraine come as no surprise," said Congresswoman Tenney. "We cannot tolerate the Iranian regime’s use of advanced technologies from western countries in its weapons systems, including in lethal drones that continue to be used in Ukraine against U.S. allies and partners. The Block the Use of Transatlantic Technology in Iranian-Made Drones Act of 2023 works to prevent the Iranian regime from using U.S. and E.U. technology to spread violence around the world. We must restrict Iran's abuse of western technologies." 

Specifically, this legislation requires: 

• the Secretary of Commerce – within 60 days following passage of legislation – to develop a report on a strategy to supplement existing sanctions against Iran by preventing the export of technologies that may be used in the design, development, production, or operational employment of drones;
• the Secretary of State – within 60 days following passage of legislation – to develop a report on a strategy to engage European and Asian allies prevent the export of technologies that may be used in the design, development, production, or operational employment of drones; and
• the Secretary of Defense – within 30 days following passage of legislation – to develop a report on a range of options that may be employed by the U.S. Armed Forces to counter or otherwise deny Iran the ability to acquire technologies that may be used in the design, development, production, or operational employment of drones.

A copy of the legislation can be found at this link.

###

 

###