H.R.2471, Consolidated Appropriations Act – Iran
H.R.2471 became public law on March 15, 2022. In reference to Iran, the Act declares:
- As a part of the “Counter-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Train and Equip Fund,” the Secretary of Defense must ensure that prior to providing assistance to any forces or individuals, they must be vetted for any association with terrorist groups or groups associated with government of Iran.
- None of the funds appropriated or made available through this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance or reparations for the government of Iran.
- Nothing in this Act may be construed as authorizing the use of force against Iran
- Funds outlined for Iranian programs in “Diplomatic Programs”, “Economic Support Fund”, and “Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs” shall be made available
- A semi-annual report shall be submitted by the Secretary of State as required by the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as added by section 2 of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015. The Secretary of State shall also submit a report within 180 days of the Act’s enactment on the status of U.S. bilateral sanctions on Iran, the enforcement of secondary sanctions, and the impact sanctions have had on Iran’s destabilizing activities throughout the Middle East.
- Within Section 711 of the Act, the National Intelligence Council must produce a National Intelligence Estimate on the situation in Afghanistan. The military presence, economic presence, and diplomatic presence of the Taliban in the region including Iran should be included in this report.
- Within Section 712 of the Act, the Director of National Intelligence must produce a report on the collection posture of the intelligence community and other matters relating to Afghanistan, including any financial and nonfinancial contributions to the Taliban from foreign countries, including Iran.
- Within Section 716 of the Act, the Director of National Intelligence must submit an assessment of the activities and objectives of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research, including information about the composition of the organization, the relationship of the personnel of the organization to any research on weapons of mass destruction, and any sources of financial and material support that such organization receives, including from the Government of Iran.
- On a biennial basis, the Director of National Intelligence shall submit a comprehensive report on the activities, prioritization, and responsibilities of the intelligence community with respect to foreign biological threats emanating from the territory of, or sponsored by, a covered country, including Iran.
- The Act outlines the findings of the National Intelligence Estimate on Escalation and Deescalation of Gray Zone Activities, including a subsection on the provision of support to proxy forces, such as the support provided by Iran to Hezbollah and Shia militia groups
- Section 104 (3) declares it is the policy of the United States to develop and implement a regional security strategy that recognizes the shared threat posed by Iran and violent extremist organizations, ensures sufficient United States deterrence in the region, builds partner capacity to address shared threats, and explores multilateral security arrangements built around like-minded partners.