the foremost state sponsor of terrorism and is increasing its ability to influence regional crises and conduct terrorism. Iran is doing this largely through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC–QF) and Lebanese Hezbollah, as well as the support and use of sectarian political and militant proxies closely aligned with the IRGC–QF and its anti-Western ideology. . (5) Secretary of the Treasury Jacob Lew stated on July 14, 2015, We harbor no illusions about the Iranian government’s nefarious activities beyond its nuclear program. Make no mistake: We will continue to impose and aggressively enforce sanctions to combat Iran’s support for terrorist groups, its fomenting of violence in the region, and its perpetration of human rights abuses. . (6) Jake Sullivan, at the time Deputy Assistant to President Obama and National Security Advisor to Vice President Biden, stated on May 1, 2014, The wording of the Joint Plan of Action … speaks to the issue of nuclear-related sanctions. And that word was chosen very carefully, nuclear-related, because we have made clear that sanctions relating to terrorism and sanctions relating to human rights violations are not covered by the discussions that we are having on the nuclear file and that we are prepared to continue to follow through on that … I can tell you, as a matter of policy, this administration is committed to continuing to enforce and follow through on that set of sanctions. . (7) Jake Sullivan further stated on May 1, 2014, We must continue to speak out against the gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran and the hateful anti-Semitic rhetoric from some of its leaders, and we must keep providing support and assistance to those brave Iranians seeking to have their voices heard … we’ve got to stand up for our values, and we need to stand against the human rights abuses and violations of fundamental freedom, including religious freedom, happening in Iran. And we have to provide real support to those voices on the ground who want to be