Sanctioning Iranian oil first step to solve Syria’s Crisis

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – To achieve a Syrian-led process that would create a permanent, peaceful, and political end to the conflict according to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (UNSCR 2254), Joe Biden’s administration should push Assad away from Iran, by impose Syria-related sanctions on the Iranian entities providing oil to Damascus, The National Interest said.

Earlier, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said “What we have not done and what we do not intend to do is to express any support for efforts to normalize relations or rehabilitate Mr. Assad or lifted a single sanction on Syria or changed our position to oppose the reconstruction of Syria, until there is irreversible progress toward a political solution, which we believe is necessary and vital”.

However, Biden’s administration claims to have one policy but is seemingly implementing another. 

Former US officials said the Biden administration isn’t discouraging Arab partners from reengaging with Assad.

Biden’s administration should fully utilize the Caesar Act and other US sanctions targeting the Syrian regime if it truly wants a political solution in Syria in line with UNSCR 2254, according to The National Interest.

Therefore, enforcing sanctions on Iranian crude and finished product into Syria would be an important first step to encourage the regime make political concessions as part of UNSCR 2254, including the constitutional committee, release of detainees, and holding free and fair elections, The National Interest added.