Iran Sanctions Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs Updated April 14, 2020 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov RS20871 SUMMARY RS20871 Iran Sanctions April 14, 2020 Successive Administrations have used economic sanctions to try to change Iran’s behavior. U.S. sanctions on Iran, which are primarily “secondary sanctions” on firms Kenneth Katzman that conduct certain transactions with Iran, have adversely affected Iran’s economy. The Specialist in Middle sanctions arguably have not, to date, altered Iran’s pursuit of core strategic objectives Eastern Affairs including its support for regional armed factions and its development of missiles.
[email protected] Arguably, sanctions did contribute to Iran’s decision to enter into a 2015 agreement that For a copy of the full report, put limits on its nuclear program. please call 7-.... or visit www.crs.gov. During 2011-2015, the global community pressured Iran economically, and Iran’s economy shrank as its crude oil exports fell by more than 50%, and Iran was rendered unable to access its foreign exchange assets abroad. Iran accepted the 2015 multilateral nuclear accord (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA) in part because the agreement brought broad sanctions relief. The Obama Administration waived relevant sanctions and revoked relevant executive orders (E.O.s). United Nations and European Union sanctions were lifted as well. Remaining in place were U.S. sanctions on: U.S. trade with Iran, Iran’s support for regional armed factions, its human rights abuses, its efforts to acquire missile and advanced conventional weapons technology, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).