DeSantis to call Florida special session for new Iran sanctions

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis will continue his aggressive stand for Israel by calling a special legislative session in Tallahassee, according to the governor’s press secretary Jeremy Redfern.

In a statement to News 6, Redfern said talks are underway to get a special session in place.

“I can confirm that the strongest sanctions against Iran by any state in the nation, as proposed by Governor DeSantis, will be part of an upcoming special session. The details, including the date and scope, are being worked out between legislative leadership and our office. We look forward to working with the legislature to show Florida’s continued support for Israel,” Redfern said.

Sources say it is likely the session will be held the first week in November but given the situation in Israel, it could be sooner.

Iran is already considered one of Florida’s “foreign countries of concern,” which are countries the state has a variety of prohibitions against. For instance, for years state agencies and local governments have been banned from entering into large contracts for goods and services with any business that has dealings with the Iranian government.

Earlier this year the Florida Legislature passed two bills that further restricted Iranian dealings in the state. SB 264 prohibits a foreign country of concern from owning or acquiring agricultural land, or owning or acquiring property within 20 miles of any military installation or critical infrastructure. SB 846 prohibited state colleges and universities from accepting grants or entering into partnerships with a college or university based in a foreign country of concern.

Foreign countries of concern include Iran, Russia, China, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria.

News 6 and Clickorlando.com will continue updates on this story