Leaders of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) today joined President Obama as he signed into law new and comprehensive sanctions to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act. Among the Jewish community leaders in attendance at the White House for the bill signing were JFNA's Kathy Manning, chair; Jerry Silverman, president and CEO; and William Daroff, vice president for public policy and JFNA’s Washington director.

"Iran’s continued pursuit of nuclear weapons threatens stability in the Middle East and Israel’s long-term safety and our national security," said Manning. "Today’s signing sends the strongest message to date that the international community is committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. We commend Congress and the entire Administration for enacting such a strong set of sanctions against Iran."

The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act expands existing sanctions to cover financial institutions and businesses, freezes the assets of Iranians active in weapons proliferation and imposes a broad ban on direct imports from Iran to the United States and exports of non-medical or food goods from the United States to Iran. The legislation authorizing the sanctions also provides a legal framework for individual governments and other investors to divest from foreign companies involved in Iran's energy sector.