Archived Information relating to the extension of the sanctions relief provided for in the Joint Plan of Action between the P5+1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran
Statement Relating to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action “Adoption Day” of October 18, 2015
On July 14, 2015, the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran reached a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful. October 18, 2015 marks “Adoption Day” under the JCPOA – the day on which the JCPOA becomes effective and participants begin to make the necessary preparations for implementation of their JCPOA commitments. In connection with Adoption Day, the President today issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Energy to take all appropriate preparatory measures to ensure the prompt and effective implementation of the U.S. commitments set forth in the JCPOA upon Iran’s fulfillment of the requisite conditions. In particular, the President directed the agencies to take steps to give effect to the U.S. commitments with respect to sanctions described in the JCPOA beginning on Implementation Day, which will occur only once the IAEA verifies that Iran has implemented key nuclear-related measures described in the JCPOA.
In addition, the Secretary of State today issued contingent waivers of certain statutory sanctions provisions. These waivers are not currently in effect and will only take effect on Implementation Day.
Until Implementation Day is reached, the only changes to the Iran-related sanctions are those provided for in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) of November 24, 2013, as extended. See the August 7, 2015 revised guidance, Frequently Asked Questions, and the Third Amended Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety of Iran’s Civil Aviation Industry for additional information regarding the sanctions-related commitments under the JPOA. Even after Implementation Day, U.S. persons will continue to be broadly prohibited from engaging in transactions or dealings involving Iran, including the Government of Iran, with the exception of a few specific categories of transactions that OFAC will license pursuant to the JCPOA.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Frequently Asked Questions relating to Adoption Day. OFAC will provide further guidance on the sanctions measures that will be lifted pursuant to the JCPOA, as well as those measures that will remain in place, prior to Implementation Day.
Until Implementation Day is reached, the only changes to the Iran-related sanctions are those provided for in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) of November 24, 2013, as extended. See the August 7, 2015 revised guidance, Frequently Asked Questions, and the Third Amended Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety of Iran’s Civil Aviation Industry for additional information regarding the sanctions-related commitments under the JPOA. Even after Implementation Day, U.S. persons will continue to be broadly prohibited from engaging in transactions or dealings involving Iran, including the Government of Iran, with the exception of a few specific categories of transactions that OFAC will license pursuant to the JCPOA.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Frequently Asked Questions relating to Adoption Day. OFAC will provide further guidance on the sanctions measures that will be lifted pursuant to the JCPOA, as well as those measures that will remain in place, prior to Implementation Day.
Statement Relating to the July 14, 2015 Announcement of a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program
- On July 14, 2015, the P5 + 1 and Iran reached a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program will be exclusively peaceful. Building on the key parameters for a JCPOA announced on April 2, 2015, the JCPOA will provide Iran with phased sanctions relief upon verification that Iran has implemented key nuclear commitments.
- U.S. sanctions relief will be provided through the suspension and eventual termination of nuclear-related secondary sanctions, beginning once the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) verifies that Iran has implemented key nuclear-related measures described in the JCPOA ("Implementation Day"). The U.S. government will publish detailed guidance related to the JCPOA prior to Implementation Day.
- The P5+1 and Iran also decided on July 14, 2015 to further extend through Implementation Day the sanctions relief provided for in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) of November 24, 2013, as extended. This JPOA sanctions relief is the only Iran-related sanctions relief in effect until further notice. The following documents are key components of the implementation of the JPOA as extended:
- Revised Guidance (August 7, 2015)
- Frequently Asked Questions (August 7, 2015)
- Third Amended Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety of Iran’s Civil Aviation Industry (August 7, 2015)
- Effective July 14, 2015, all specific licenses that: (1) were issued pursuant to OFAC’s Second Amended Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety of Iran’s Civil Aviation Industry, and (2) have an expiration date on or before July 14, 2015, are hereby authorized to remain in effect according to their terms until Implementation Day.
On July 10, 2015, the P5 + 1, EU, and Iran decided by mutual consent to extend the JPOA for three days in order to continue negotiations to reach a comprehensive solution.
Accordingly, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published on its web site the following Guidance on the Continuation of Certain Temporary Sanctions Relief Implementing the Joint Plan of Action, as Extended.
On July 7, 2015, the P5 + 1, EU, and Iran decided by mutual consent to extend the JPOA for three days in order to continue negotiations to reach a comprehensive solution.
Accordingly, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published on its web site the following Guidance on the Continuation of Certain Temporary Sanctions Relief Implementing the Joint Plan of Action, as Extended.
On June 30, 2015, the P5 + 1, EU, and Iran decided by mutual consent to extend the JPOA for seven days in order to continue negotiations to reach a comprehensive solution.
Accordingly, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published on its web site the following Guidance on the Continuation of Certain Temporary Sanctions Relief Implementing the Joint Plan of Action, as Extended.
Guidance Relating to the April 2, 2015 Announcement of Parameters for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nuclear Program
- The parameters announced on April 2, 2015 for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by the P5+1 and Iran do not immediately relieve, suspend or terminate any sanctions on Iran. The only sanctions relief in force is the relief provided pursuant to the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) reached on November 24, 2013 and extended through June 30, 2015.
- The parameters announced on April 2, 2015 provide a path for sanctions on Iran to be suspended and eventually terminated in exchange for IAEA verified implementation by Iran of its key nuclear commitments.
- As of today and until a JCPOA is concluded, other than the sanctions relief provided under the JPOA, all U.S. sanctions remain in place and will continue to be vigorously enforced.
- The sanctions relief provided for under the JPOA reached on November 24, 2013 remains in effect, as described in published Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions.
Information relating to the extension of the sanctions relief provided for in the Joint Plan of Action between the P5+1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran
On November 24, 2013, the United States and its partners in the P5 + 1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, coordinated by the European Union’s High Representative) reached an initial understanding with Iran, outlined in a Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), that halts progress on Iran’s nuclear program and rolls it back in key respects. In return for Iran’s commitment to place meaningful limits on its nuclear program, the P5+1 committed to provide Iran with limited, targeted, and reversible sanctions relief. In furtherance of the U.S. Government’s (USG) commitments under the JPOA, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury implemented sanctions relief relating to certain activities and associated services taking place exclusively during the six-month period beginning on January 20, 2014, and ending July 20, 2014. The following documents are key components of the implementation of the JPOA as extended.
On November 24, 2013, the United States and its partners in the P5 + 1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, coordinated by the European Union’s High Representative) reached an initial understanding with Iran, outlined in a Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), that halts progress on Iran’s nuclear program and rolls it back in key respects. In return for Iran’s commitment to place meaningful limits on its nuclear program, the P5+1 committed to provide Iran with limited, targeted, and reversible sanctions relief. In furtherance of the U.S. Government’s (USG) commitments under the JPOA, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury implemented sanctions relief relating to certain activities and associated services taking place exclusively during the six-month period beginning on January 20, 2014, and ending July 20, 2014. The following documents are key components of the implementation of the JPOA as extended.
- Guidance Relating to the Provision Of Certain Temporary Sanctions Relief in Order to Implement the Joint Plan of Action Reached On November 24, 2013 Between The P5+1 and The Islamic Republic Of Iran, as Extended Through June 30, 2015
- Frequently Asked Questions Relating to the Extension of Temporary Sanctions Relief through June 30, 2015, to Implement the Joint Plan of Action between the P5 + 1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran
- Second Amended Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety Of Iran's Civil Aviation Industry
- Joint Plan of Action between the P5 + 1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran
On July 19, 2014, the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China, coordinated by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton) and Iran affirmed that they will continue to implement the commitments described in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) and the U.S. government has extended through November 24, 2014, the sanctions relief provided for in the JPOA. This extended relief comes into effect on July 21, 2014. The following documents are key components of the implementation of the JPOA as extended.
- Guidance Relating to the Provision Of Certain Temporary Sanctions Relief in Order to Implement the Joint Plan of Action Reached On November 24, 2013 Between The P5+1 and The Islamic Republic Of Iran, as Extended Through November 24, 2014 (archived)
- Frequently Asked Questions Relating to the Extension of Sanctions Relief Provided for in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5 + 1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran (archived)
- Amended Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety Of Iran's Civil Aviation Industry (archived) - July 21, 2014
On January 12, 2014, the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, and China, coordinated by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton) and Iran arrived at technical understandings for the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which will be implemented beginning on January 20, 2014. The following documents are key components of the implementation of the JPOA.
- Guidance Relating to the Provision Of Certain Temporary Sanctions Relief in Order to Implement the Joint Plan of Action Reached On November 24, 2013 Between The P5+1 and The Islamic Republic Of Iran (archived)
- Frequently Asked Questions Relating to the Sanctions Relief Provided for in the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) between the P5 + 1 and the Islamic Republic of Iran (archived)
- Statement of Licensing Policy on Activities Related to the Safety Of Iran's Civil Aviation Industry (archived) - January 20, 2014