The Role of Congress in U.S. Foreign Policy toward Iran: Analysis of Congressional Sanctions

U.S. foreign policy making is a complicated process because of the number of players involved. Generally, the executive branch is considered to be responsible for decision making and implementing U.S. foreign policy. The Constitution of the United States, however, has assigned some foreign policy powers and responsibilities to Congress granting importance to its role in U.S. foreign policy. U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East has been one of the areas where the U.S Congress has exerted its influence through its foreign policy powers. This paper looks into the role the U.S. Congress has played in U.S. foreign policy toward Iran with a focus on sanctions laws passed in Congress. Using Scott and Carter’s two-dimensional model of activity and assertiveness, this paper argues that the U.S. Congress has become both more active and more assertive in U.S. foreign policy making toward Iran specifically in the case of sanctions and it has taken the role of a Competitive Congress in its relations with the executive branch.