studying the activities of the 116th Congress and its role in the US foreign policy towards Iran
The confrontation between Iran and the United States after the Islamic
Revolution had many ups and downs, which intensified in the fifth decade of the
revolution with getting into power of the Trump administration. In this regard,
the US Congress, as one of the most important pillars of the power structure
through legislation and oversight, has played an undeniable role in US foreign
policy towards Iran over the past forty years. The purpose of this article is to
review the actions of the 116th US Congress towards Iran and its role in US
foreign policy. Studies show that the 116th Congress, under the widespread
influence of the Zionist lobby, has organized numerous legislative and
monitoring activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the control of its
elements of power, including nuclear and missile capabilities and regional
power. However, in the second year of its actions, with the escalation of tensions
in the region, especially after the assassination of general Soleimani and the
Iranian missile attack on the Ain al-Assad base, Congress focused on
controlling the Trump administration's belligerent policies to prevent a military
strike against the Islamic Republic. The most significant actions of the One
Hundred and sixeenth Congress, including a joint bill and resolution, have been
taken in this regard. It seems that despite the Trump administration's
countermeasures to neutralize the resolution passed by Congress, the activities
of the 116th Congress have been one of the most effective factors in preventing
a full-scale war against Iran.