U.S. Sanctions on Iran (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Aug. 7, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12452 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Clayton Thomas |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the United States has
used sanctions of various types as key tools of U.S. policy
toward the government of Iran. The U.S. government uses
sanctions to deter, constrain, and encourage change in the
adversarial behavior of the Iranian regime, including its
support for international terrorism, nuclear and missile
development programs and proliferation activities,
destabilizing regional interventions, and human rights
abuses. Congress has played a leading role in shaping U.S.
policy, enacting legislation to authorize and oversee
successive Administrations’ implementation of Iran-related
sanctions. U.S. sanctions have adversely affected Iran’s
economy but Iranian government behavior remains a threat
to U.S. interests and those of partners including Israel.
U.S. sanctions on Iran target activities and persons (i.e.,
entities and individuals) inside or outside Iran to deter,
disincentivize support for, and constrain Iran’s ability to
perpetuate its adversarial behaviors. Primary sanctions
impose restrictions on those behaviors and persons directly
involved with them. Secondary sanctions seek to deter third
parties from engaging with primary targets. Primary and
secondary sanctions may include blocking U.S.-based
assets, prohibiting transactions with U.S. persons, limiting
use of U.S. financial instruments, denying entry into the
United States, and prosecuting sanctions violations and
evasions.
U.S. sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and
comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States
maintains on any country. Thousands of persons (Iranian
and non-Iranian) have been designated for sanctions related
to Iran. 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.
