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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inspects his country's nuclear facility in Natanz.

Iran continues to enrich uranium despite repeated protests by the international community.

As Iran moves closer to acquiring a nuclear weapons capability, the urgency of stopping the regime continues to grow. Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have taken a series of steps to highlight the growing threat of Iran's illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons and its support for terrorism. Lawmakers have delivered speeches, sent letters, conducted hearings and introduced legislation aimed at pressuring Iran's leaders to change their dangerous course. Following are highlights of these congressional efforts.

Members of Congress Speak Out Against Iran

Lawmakers are condemning Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons.

Members of Congress have delivered statements condemning Iran for its pursuit of nuclear weapons and calling for strong American action to stop it. Democrats and Republicans alike have spoken about the need to apply strong sanctions on the regime and rally the international community to join America's efforts against the Islamic Republic. Lawmakers have also recognized that stopping Iran's nuclear program not only benefits America's security, but ensures the stability of the region as a whole.

Read transcripts of congressional statements.

Bills Aim to Increase Iran Sanctions

House and Senate bills seek to deny Iranian access to refined petroleum products.

Members of the House and Senate have introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at increasing sanctions on Iran in order to persuade the regime to halt its pursuit of nuclear weapons. One bill, the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, would limit Iran's ability to import and produce refined petroleum products by strengthening the president's authority to impose sanctions on companies helping Iran in these areas.

Another bill, the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, authorizes state and local governments to divest from companies investing in Iran's petroleum and natural gas sector.

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Lawmakers Urge Action on Iran

House and Senate members sent letters to the Obama administration regarding sanctions on Iran.

Members of the House and Senate have sent a series of letters to President Obama and members of his Cabinet urging the administration to take steps to further increase pressure on Iran to stop its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Lawmakers have urged the administration to implement previous sanction laws and to look at other possible ways to use existing laws to pressure the Iranian regime.

Learn more about the letters sent by lawmakers regarding Iran.

AIPAC's top backgrounders on the issues that matter most.

Looming Threat: Iran's Nuclear Program

Take an in-depth look at Iran's illicit nuclear program and the threat it poses to the United States and our allies.

The Iranian Missile Threat

View a map illustrating the Iranian missile threat, which can endanger U.S. troops, Israel, and other U.S. allies up to 1,500 miles away.