Our Publications
Policy Briefs
January 31, 2023
Though it would not halt Iran’s nuclear advances, triggering snapback would allow Europe and the United States to make use of the expanded restrictions provided for in previous Security Council resolutions to combat the pressing proliferation challenges posed by Iran.
Policy Briefs
January 31, 2022
Almost seven years ago, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2231, which endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the international accord subjecting Iran to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Policy Briefs
May 18, 2021
On May 8, 2018, President Donald J. Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement. Effective immediately, U.S. nuclear sanctions on Iran were reinstated and the President warned that "any nation that helps Iran in its quest for nuclear weapons could also be strongly sanctioned by the United States."
Policy Briefs
September 30, 2020
Last week, the United States announced a range of new sanctions on Iran’s military-industrial complex, including severe financial penalties against anyone helping Iran import or export conventional weapons. The move follows a failed bid by the United States to extend an arms embargo on Iran at the United Nations. It signals the U.S.
Policy Briefs
May 29, 2020
On May 27, the United States sanctioned two of Iran’s senior nuclear officials for their role in the country’s current uranium enrichment program. This move follows a similar one in March, when the United States sanctioned several Iranian scientists connected to elite academic institutions. Both actions reflect an underused front in the U.S....
Policy Briefs
January 31, 2020
On January 10, 2020, the U.S. announced a new executive order and other measures to restrict foreign trade with Iran’s metals, mining, manufacturing, construction, and textiles sectors. These actions, which included designations of foreign firms, put pressure on countries that still have some economic relations with Iran.
Policy Briefs
August 29, 2019
U.N. Security Council resolution 2231 established a procurement channel for nuclear-related transfers to Iran. Despite its withdrawal from the JCPOA, the U.S. continues to highlight Iranian violations and to influence nuclear-related trade with Iran, complicating international efforts to manage procurement.
Policy Briefs
May 10, 2019
The latest chapter in the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign against Iran was announced on May 8, on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
Policy Briefs
February 27, 2019
At its plenary meeting in Paris last week, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) renewed its call for enhanced due diligence when dealing with Iran, but continued to suspend more severe restrictions, or "countermeasures," against Iran for its strategic anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies.
Policy Briefs
October 22, 2018
Iran was once again on the agenda at a plenary meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last week in Paris. The body decided not to re-impose the severe restrictions on financial dealings with Iran that were suspended in 2016, despite U.S. efforts to build a case for such action in the weeks leading up to the meeting.