Frequently Asked Questions

314. Can an exporter of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices get paid out of a Central Bank of Iran (CBI) account at a foreign financial institution (FFI) in a country with a significant reduction exception, even though the exporter is located in a third-country? Can the third-country exporter’s bank handle this transaction?

Yes. So long as the transaction does not involve a designated individual or entity, banks on the Part 561 List located on OFAC’s website, or otherwise proscribed conduct, such transactions are not sanctionable under U.S. law. Furthermore, there is no requirement under U.S. law that agricultural… Read more

266. Does the November 8, 2012 designation of National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) under E.O. 13382 impact the scope of permissible transactions by foreign financial institutions (FFIs) in significantly reducing countries?

Yes. On September 24, 2012, NIOC was identified as an agent or affiliate of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (“IRGC”) under section 312 of the TRA , and designated on November 8, 2012, under E.O. 13382 for providing services and support to the IRGC. Accordingly, the Comprehensive Iran… Read more

609. What does E.O. 13846 do with respect to the sanctions on Iran’s automotive sector?

E.O. 13846 reimposes the sanctions previously contained in subsections 3(a)(ii) and section 5 of E.O. 13645 by authorizing the imposition of correspondent and payable-through account sanctions (subsection 2(a)(i)) of E.O. 13846) and menu-based sanctions (subsection 3(a)(i) of E.O. 13846) for… Read more

610. What is considered Iran’s automotive sector for purposes of E.O. 13846?

E.O. 13846 defines the automotive sector of Iran as the manufacturing or assembling in Iran of light and heavy vehicles including passenger cars, trucks, buses, minibuses, pick-up trucks, and motorcycles, as well as original equipment manufacturing and after-market parts manufacturing relating to… Read more

611. What are goods or services used in connection with Iran’s automotive sector for purposes of E.O. 13846?

E.O. 13846 reimposes sanctions on certain transactions on or after August 7, 2018, for the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of “significant” goods or services used in connection with the automotive sector of Iran. (See FAQ 289 for an interpretation of the term “significant.”) We anticipate that… Read more

267. What are definitions for the following NDAA terms: “significant financial transaction,” “knowingly,” “food, medicine, and medical devices,” “foreign financial institution,” and “country with primary jurisdiction over the FFI”?

These definitions are set out in 31 CFR Part 561 . …

612. Is the sale, supply, or transfer of finished vehicles or “auto kits” to Iran sanctionable under the New E.O.?

E.O. 13846 does not make sanctionable the export of finished vehicles to Iran if no further assembly or manufacturing is required. As such, exporting fully assembled and finished vehicles to Iran for sale would not be sanctionable, so long as the transaction is consistent with U.S. sanctions,… Read more

613. Is the sale, supply, or transfer of goods or services for the maintenance of finished vehicles sanctionable under E.O. 13846?

Goods or services for the maintenance of finished vehicles exported to Iran would generally not be considered “significant goods or services used in connection with the automotive sector of Iran” for the purposes of E.O. 13846 , and the provision of such goods or services would generally not be… Read more

313. What is the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA)?

IFCA was signed into law on January 2, 2013, as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, and provides for several new sanctions related to Iran. IFCA authorizes broad sanctions on: certain activities related to Iran’s energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors; the… Read more

829. Following the Secretary of State’s announcement on May 27, 2020 that he will be ending certain Iran nuclear-related waivers, will there be a wind-down period for persons engaged in activity permitted by these waivers?

Yes. Persons engaged in activities currently permitted by the Department of State’s nuclear-related waivers associated with the Arak reactor modernization redesign, the transfer into Iran of enriched uranium for the Tehran Research Reactor, and the transfer out of Iran of certain nuclear fuel… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

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