; and (B) involved in severe violations of human rights throughout the Middle East, including by supporting the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. (12) Since 2021, the People's Republic of China has increased illicit oil purchases from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such oil purchases would be permitted if the United States lifts sanctions with respect to Islamic Republic of Iran and re-enters the failed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The People's Republic of China remains the largest oil customer of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (13) A portion of the oil that the People's Republic of China buys from the Islamic Republic of Iran and other suppliers is potentially being transshipped to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (14) The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action required that the United Nations arms embargo on the Islamic Republic of Iran expire in October 2020, which would have permitted the People's Republic of China to sell arms to the Islamic Republic of Iran and vice versa. (15) President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., has sought to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or a similar agreement, including by undertaking talks with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the other parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. (16) Officials in the administration of President Biden have acknowledged that rejoining a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran would entail an easing of the economic sanctions stipulated by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 3. Limitations with respect to any Iran nuclear agreement (a) Limitations prior to entering into negotiations No Federal funds may be obligated or expended to enter into any negotiation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran with respect to an Iran nuclear agreement until the President certifies to Congress that— (1) the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has terminated— (A) all agreements involving the transfer of funds to such Government from the People's Republic of China