Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R., Wyo.) applauded President Donald Trump's decision to zero out Iranian oil exports.
"The Trump Administration today took an essential step in its maximum pressure campaign against the hostile regime in Tehran. Oil is a significant source of revenue for Iran. By not granting these exceptions for the import of Iranian oil, the President is underscoring a clear message: when it comes to depriving Tehran of funding for its terror network, nothing is off the table," Cheney said in statement. "With this move, the Trump Administration is rightfully putting those who continue to import Iranian oil on notice."
The Trump administration announced on Monday that it would no longer issue waivers to countries who buy oil from Iran, which would increase the pressure of the existing sanctions against Iran. Pompeo informed reporters about the administration's new policy.
"We'll no longer grant any exemptions," Pompeo said. "We are going to zero across the board. We'll continue to enforce sanctions and monitor compliance and any nation or entity interacting with Iran should do its diligence and err on the side of caution; the risks are simply not going to be worth the benefits."
Cheney and 34 other lawmakers urged against the renewal of the oil exceptions in a letter to the president.
"Since leaving the nuclear deal, your administration has squeezed Iran with an array of shrewd sanctions," the letter read. "This month, you took the unprecedented and necessary step of designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization. Now, in accordance with your maximum pressure campaign, the regime in Tehran must be pushed further. We urge you not to renew these oil exceptions and ensure that Iran's leaders are unable to put their death chants into action."