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IF12452.6.pdf
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Title: Shaping U.S. Policy: The Complexities of Sanctions on Iran
Description: Delve into the intricate landscape of U.S. sanctions on Iran, tracing their evolution from the initial imposition in the Carter Administration to the expansive network of sanctions today. Explore the interplay between Congress and the executive branch, the impact on Iran's economy and government behavior, and the multifaceted motivations driving these sanctions, spanning from terrorism to nuclear proliferation.
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Uploaded:
2026-03-02 11:51
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Congressional Research Service
a
= Informing the legislative debate since 1914
U.S. Sanctions on Iran
Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the United States has
used sanctions of various types as ...
sanctions have adversely affected Iran’s
economy but Iranian government behavior remains a threat
to U.S. interests and those of partners including Israel. After
the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict and...
context:
The text discusses U.S. sanctions on Iran, the role of Congress in shaping U.S. policy towards Iran, and the impact of sanctions on Iran's economy and the behavior of the Iranian government, as well as the relationship to U.S. interests and partners like Israel.
fact:
Sanctions have adversely affected Iran’s economy but Iranian government behavior remains a threat to U.S. interests and those of partners including Israel.
fact:
After the June 2025 Israel-Iran conflict and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump wrote he had been 'working on the possible removal of sanctions' but 'dropped all work on sanctions relief' after Iranian rhetorical defiance.
Primary and secondary
sanctions may include blocking U.S.-based assets,
prohibiting transactions with U.S. persons, limiting use of
US. financial instruments, denying entry into the United
States, and...
fact:
Primary and secondary sanctions may include blocking U.S.-based assets, prohibiting transactions with U.S. persons, limiting use of US. financial instruments, denying entry into the United States, and prosecuting sanctions violations and evasions.
context:
The text discusses U.S. sanctions on Iran, the role of Congress in shaping U.S. policy towards Iran, and the impact of sanctions on Iran's economy and the behavior of the Iranian government, as well as the relationship to U.S. interests and partners like Israel. It also describes the detailed mechanisms of primary and secondary sanctions, the extensive nature of U.S. sanctions on Iran, and the complexities in designation and lifting of sanctions on individuals.
sanctions on Iran block Iranian government assets in
the United States, ban nearly all U.S. trade with Iran, and
prohibit foreign assistance and arms sales. U.S. law
authorizes sanctions targeting
e ...
The Carter Administration initially imposed
sanctions to press for the release of U.S. Embassy staff
taken as hostages in 1979; the executive branch and
Congress expanded U.S. sanctions in the 1980s a...
context:
The document discusses the historical evolution of U.S. sanctions on Iran, starting from the Carter Administration's initial imposition of sanctions in 1979 to the expansion of sanctions by the executive branch and Congress in the 1980s and 1990s.
fact:
U.S. policy interests evolved over time to include compelling Iran to cease its support of acts of international terrorism and its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, leading to the expansion of sanctions.
fact:
Sanctions were incorporated into efforts to persuade Iran to limit its nuclear activities after the 2002 revelation of undisclosed nuclear facilities in Iran.
fact:
Multinational sanctions on Iran were launched by the UN Security Council in mid-2006 to address concerns about Iran's nuclear program, mandating member states to prevent trade with Iran in various sectors.
context:
The text also describes the historical context of U.S. sanctions on Iran, including actions taken by the UN Security Council and the role of Congress in shaping sanctions policy.
context:
The document provides insights into the motivations behind U.S. sanctions on Iran, such as compelling Iran to cease support for terrorism and limit its nuclear activities.
context:
The discussion includes the role of Congressional action in imposing sanctions on Iran and the specific provisions targeting Iran's proliferation activities and oil resources.
context:
The text outlines the timeline of key events that influenced the expansion and direction of U.S. sanctions on Iran, from the initial hostage crisis in 1979 to the concerns about Iran's nuclear program.
fact:
In 1996, Congress enacted legislation for the first Iran-related secondary sanctions, specifically targeting foreign firms involved in the development of Iran's oil resources.
context:
The document explores the international dimension of sanctions on Iran, including the UN Security Council's involvement in launching multinational sanctions in response to Iran's nuclear program.
Congress
authorized sanctions targeting Iran’s proliferation activities
beginning in 1992 and, in 1996, enacted landmark
legislation mandating the first Iran-related secondary
sanctions, on foreign fi...
fact:
Congress has played a critical role in the development and expansion of U.S. sanctions on Iran, authorizing sanctions targeting Iran's proliferation activities beginning in 1992 and, in 1996, enacted landmark legislation mandating the first Iran-related secondary sanctions, on foreign firms involved in the development of Iran's oil resources. After the Iranian government's violent crackdown on mass protests over its disputed 2009 presidential election, Congress authorized sanctions on officials responsible for the crackdown and other human rights abuses. As international concern about Iran's nuclear program increased, Congress, beginning in 2010, increased the scope of U.S. sanctions, targeting Iran's oil exports and other economic sectors in a bid to deny the Iranian government financial resources and compel it to make policy changes. In enacting these authorities, Congress mandated that to waive or lift sanctions, the President must certify that Iran is meeting certain conditions, including that the Iranian government has ceased its support of international terrorism and its proliferation activities.
sanctions related to Iran’s continued support for
international terrorism, human rights abuses, and missile
development remained in place. In 2018, citing the limited
duration of certain JCPOA restric...
fact:
U.S. sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country, including sanctions related to Iran’s continued support for international terrorism, human rights abuses, and missile development.
fact:
Thousands of persons (Iranian and non-Iranian) have been designated for sanctions related to Iran, including for Iran’s continued support for international terrorism, human rights abuses, and missile development.
fact:
Reflecting the complex legal framework of U.S. sanctions on Iran, many persons have been designated under multiple authorities; designation under multiple authorities may not confer additional restrictions but may affect how sanctions may be lifted, particularly in cases related to Iran’s support for international terrorism, human rights abuses, and missile development.
Some Members of Congress
called for what they described as more robust sanctions
enforcement, including through additional designations. Second Trump Administration Policy
On February 4, 2025, Presid...
Obama Administration
officials described the 2015 JCPOA as proof of sanctions’
effectiveness. After withdrawing from the JCPOA and
reimposing U.S. sanctions, Trump Administration officials
U.S. Sanct...
Iran’s leaders seek to mitigate the impact of sanctions
through the development of what Supreme Leader Ali
Khamenei has termed a “resistance economy.” Khamenei
has stated that Iran must reduce its dep...
In the
119" Congress, Members have considered legislation to
amend sanctions-related statutory authorities, including to
alter the conditions under which the President may waive or
lift sanctions on I...
Clayton Thomas, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs
1F12452
https://crsreports.congress.gov U.S. Sanctions on Iran
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS)...
However, as a CRS Report may include
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