Executive Order #13846

By: Alexia Kim

Countries and organizations originally part of the JCPOA

Executive order 13846 titled “Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Respect to Iran” was issued on August 6, 2018 by President Donald Trump. On May 8, 2018, the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal. The purpose of the JCPOA was to ensure that Iran would refrain from developing nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting the sanctions that were originally imposed on Iran. Because the United States was no longer part of the Iran Nuclear Deal, Executive Order 13846 was issued with the motive of putting financial and economic pressures on Iran. The executive order states that the United States will impose sanctions on any individuals that are involved in key sectors of Iran’s economy. Sanctions will be imposed on individuals that assist in the goods and services of companies such as the National Iranian Oil Company, Naftiran Intertrade Company, and the Central Bank of Iran. Additional sanctions will be authorized on individuals who aid in acquisition of U.S. banknotes or precious metals in affiliation with the Iranian government and entities that possess technological, material, or financial support of any

Iranian individual on the SDN List. Executive Order 13846 authorizes “Menu-based” sanctions on individuals who engage in a significant transaction of petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran. Any goods that are involved in the production of automobiles are prohibited from being transferred to Iran. The United States will refuse to provide insurance or financial help as punishment. Individuals who are punished are also unable to receive a license to export goods.

Overall, Executive Order 13846 was issued to put economic and financial pressures on Iran after the United States left the JCPOA. By restricting the export of goods such as petroleum and petrochemicals from Iran, Iran’s ability to conduct international trade has become challenged. Sanctions are imposed on any people or entities that support Iran’s government in transporting goods, acquiring US banknotes, or precious metals. These sanctions not only keep Iranian entities accountable, but also discourage individuals or organizations — such as entities based in the European Union — from engaging with Iran. This has caused diplomatic tensions between the United States and signatories from the Iran Nuclear Deal. Although Executive Order 13846 was issued to prevent nuclear proliferation, it is still debatable whether or not this order has been

effective.

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Harris, David, and McNabb, Stephen. “Iran sanctions reimposed and in full effect.” Norton Rose Fulbright, 2018, https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-us/knowledge/publications/eb027066/iran-sanctions-rei mposed-and-in-full-effect 

Wali, Daniyal. “The Future Of The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).” Global Defense Insight, 2021, https://defensetalks.com/the-future-of-the-joint-comprehensive-plan-of-action-jcpoa/