Iran Sanctions
Abstract
Numerous U.S. laws and regulations have been adopted to try to slow Iran's weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and curb its support for militant groups. The U.S. view is that sanctions, particularly those targeting Iran's energy sector that provides about 80% of government revenues, might reduce Iran's ability to support its WMD and terrorism support activities. United Nations sanctions have been imposed since 2006, with many of those same objectives, although more narrowly targeted to avoid harming the civilian population of Iran. U.S. sanctions are broader than those imposed by the United Nations - restricting U.S. trade with and investment in Iran, prohibiting U.S. foreign aid to Iran, and requiring the United States to vote against international lending to Iran. Several laws and executive orders authorize the imposition of U.S. penalties against foreign companies that do business with Iran, as part of an effort to persuade foreign firms to choose between the Iranian market and the much larger U.S. market. U.S. efforts to curb international energy investment in Iran's energy sector began in 1996 with the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 12, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA524381
Entities
People
- Kenneth Katzman
Organizations
- Library of Congress