US to enforce oil sanctions against Iran

WASHINGTON - The United States will enforce oil sanctions against Iran amid the renewed conflict in the Middle East, President Joe Biden's energy security adviser Amos Hochstein told Bloomberg News on Wednesday. "We are going to enforce those sanctions" Hochstein told Bloomberg News, in reference to what he said amounted to more than 1 million barrels a day of oil exports from Iran. "Those numbers will come down."

Hochstein's remarks come amidst US lawmakers debating several pieces of legislation to pressure Iran after the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas that killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

Hamas has long been backed by Iran, but Tehran has denied any involvement in the attacks.

Earlier this month, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to bolster sanctions on Iranian oil.