The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a new round of sanctions against Iran that “seek to tighten chokehold on the regime beyond anything that has been done before,” according to one lawmaker. The new sanctions are aimed at banks, insurance companies and shipping companies that help Iran sell its oil. The bill will next go to the Senate, where a vote has not yet been scheduled although it is expected to be held before lawmakers leave at the end of the week for the August recess. If it passes the Senate, President Obama would still have to sign it—and the White House said the president is still reviewing the bill. Although it passed the House 421-6, two prominent lawmakers opposed it: Republican Ron Paul and Democrat Dennis Kucinich.
