The Trump administration issued a new Executive Order (the "New Iran E.O.") reimposing certain U.S. sanctions against Iran, effective August 7, 2018.
Consistent with President Trump's May 8 announcement ending U.S. participation in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran nuclear deal), the New Iran E.O. restores sanctions related to, among other things: (i) the Iranian government's purchase or acquisition of U.S. dollars; (ii) Iran's trade in gold and precious metals; (iii) the sale, supply or transfer to or from Iran of graphite, raw or semi-finished metals, and software for integrating industrial processes; (iv) significant transactions related to Iran's national currency, the rial, and the maintenance of significant funds or accounts outside the territory of Iran denominated in the Iranian rial; (v) the purchase, subscription to, or facilitation of the issuance of Iranian sovereign debt; and (vi) Iran's automotive sector.
In addition, certain wind-down authorizations expired at 11:59 p.m., EDT, on August 6, 2018, namely, those related to (i) the importation into the United States of Iranian-origin carpets and foodstuffs; (ii) activities related to the export or reexport to Iran of commercial passenger aircraft and related parts and services; and (iii) activities undertaken pursuant to General License I that relating to contingent contracts for activities related to passenger aircraft-related licensing.
The U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") also issued FAQs regarding the New Iran E.O., and updated certain existing Iran sanctions-related FAQs.
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