CHICAGO - U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), a leading co-author of Iran sanctions legislation, today released the following statement applauding Senate passage of the Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Human Rights Act of 2012.

"Today the U.S. Senate put Iranian leaders on notice that they must halt all uranium enrichment activities or face another round of economic sanctions from the United States," Senator Kirk said. "I thank Leader McConnell and Senator Menendez for their support in moving this important legislation forward, and I appreciate Leader Reid and Chairman Johnson's commitment to negotiate even tougher sanctions in conference."