Lindsey Graham to Synagogue Audience: Lawmakers Will Introduce New Sanctions Against Iranian Military

THE ALGEMEINER – Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will be introducing new sanctions against Iran even if the nuclear deal signed between Tehran and world powers is implemented, said Republican presidential candidate Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Saturday.

Speaking to an audience of about 250 at the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, New York for congregant Jeffrey Wiesenfeld and political consultant Hank Sheinkopf’s ‘Hampton Volley’ series, Graham insisted that while he was unsure lawmakers opposed to the nuclear deal would have enough votes to override President Barack Obama’s avowed veto of a congressional rejection of the agreement, lawmakers intended to enact bipartisan legislation to punish Iran elsewhere.

“Sen. Menendez and I will introduce new sanctions related to their missile program, support for terror, etc.,” said Graham, according to Jewish Insider,although the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action has provisions stripping away sanctions against Iran’s ballistic missile program and a U.N.-imposed arms embargo.

At one point, attempting to get a feel for the mostly New York Jewish audience, Graham quipped that the “enemy” — presumably Iran and Islamic terrorist outfits — see all Americans as targets – “both the gay couple and the baker who doesn’t want their business.”

Graham has taken on an aggressive opposition to the Iran nuclear deal — perhaps unanimously unpopular with GOP lawmakers — even threatening to work to strip the International Atomic Energy Agency of its funding if the Obama administration refuses to review the deal, which critics say falls far short of effectively curbing the threat of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

Menendez is expected to deliver an address on Tuesday explaining his position on the Iran nuclear deal; most expect him to reject the JCPoA in its current iteration.