Sanctions
Stand With the Iranian People
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For too long, US policymakers have focused exclusively on imposing broad-brush sanctions that fail to distinguish between Iran’s government and its people. Iranians have lived under a double burden for decades, suffering not only under the repression of their own government, but also struggling with hardships imposed by US sanctions. Even as Iranians have taken to the streets to bravely stand up to Iran’s rulers and demand their rights, US sanctions continue to deny Iranians critical tools and services to advance free expression, promote human rights and civil society, and connect Iranians to the world community.
NIAC is leading the call for a new US approach to Iran—one that decreases pressure on the Iranian people while simultaneously increasing pressure on Iran’s rulers. NIAC has worked to eliminate US restrictions that block Iranians from communicating via the Internet and prevent US human rights, civil society, and relief organizations from working in Iran. At the same time, NIAC supports precision sanctions focused squarely on human rights abusers who repress the Iranian people. By eliminating restrictions that punish innocent Iranians and tightening sanctions targeting Iran’s government, the United States can stand with the Iranian people.
See Related Legislation & Resources
Related Legislation & Resources
Legislation |
Position |
Resources |
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| The Stand With the Iranian People Act (H.R.4303) - declares that the United States’ dispute with Iran lies with the Government of Iran, not innocent Iranians. It imposes tough, targeted sanctions against the human rights abusers in the Iranian Government as well as the companies that provide them with the tools of repression, while enabling American NGOs to provide assistance directly to the people of Iran. | Support | Bill Text, FAQ, One Pager, Section by Section, Analysis, White House Statements on Targeted Sanctions | ||
| Iranian Digital Empowerment Act (H.R.4301) - will enable average Iranian citizens to access the most powerful tool available for promoting democracy and civil society in Iran: information. It clarifies the intent of current US sanctions not to prohibit Americans from providing certain software or related services to Iranians, enabling them to communicate freely or bypass their government’s online spying and censorship efforts. |
Support |
Bill text, FAQ, One Pager | ||
| Iranian Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (H.R. 2194) - imposes unilateral, extraterritorial sanctions on international companies that provide refined refined petroleum or related services to Iran.The sanctions prohibit effected companies from also doing business in the U.S. | Oppose | Bill text, One Pager, Suggested Conference Amendments, White House Statements on Targeted Sanctions, Joint Statement | ||
| Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Divestment, and Accountability Act (S.2799) - imposes unilateral, extraterritorial sanctions on international companies that provide refined refined petroleum or related services to Iran.The sanctions prohibit effected companies from also doing business in the U.S. Other provisions would make American companies liable if their foreign subsidiaries do business in Iran, and would codify the embargo on goods shipped to and from Iran, including pistachios, Persian carpets, and caviar. | Oppose | Bill Text, One Pager, Suggested Conference Amendments, White House Statements on Targeted Sanctions, Joint Statement | ||
| Reduce Iranian Cyber-Suppression Act (H.R.3284 / S.1475) - Prohibits the heads of executive agencies from entering into or renewing procurement contracts with persons that export censorship and online surveillance technologies to Iran. | Support | House Bill Text, Senate Bill Text | ||
| Accountability for Business Choices in Iran Act (H.R.3922) - Prohibits the heads of executive agencies from entering into or renewing procurement contracts with persons that export censorship and online surveillance technologies to Iran. | Oppose | Bill Text | ||
| Iran Human Rights Sanctions Act (H.R.4647 / S.3022) - Imposes sanctions on persons who are complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens of Iran or their family members after the June 12, 2009, elections in Iran. | Support | House Bill Text, Senate Bill Text, White House Statements on Targeted Sanctions | ||
| Travel Ban (H.CON.RES.256) - Expressing the sense of Congress that any official within the Government of Iran at the level of deputy minister or higher or officer within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is presumptively ineligible for a travel visa to the United States. | Support | Bill Text |
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Case Studies
While most of NIAC’s agenda is formulated through feedback received in our annual member survey, we also hear directly from individuals seeking advice or assistance on issues affecting our community. The following cases highlight some of the ongoing battles we as Iranian Americans face. Through the continued support of our members, we hope to minimize these challenges and continue working to empower our community.
Case #1 – No Student Loan:
An Iranian female student admitted to the Harvard Business School MBA program applied for financial aid. Although she was eligible and tentatively approved for a $100,000 loan package, she was informed that Harvard could not issue her a loan. They stated that under the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), “sanctioned countries like Iran are not eligible for international student loan programs.”
Case #2 – Account Access Denied:
An Iranian male student who arrived in the U.S. in late August 2010 went to Chase Bank to open an account. He provided his passport and I-20 document upon opening a checking and savings account. On the day he opened his accounts, he was told that his debit card and credit card will be ready within a week.
The Iranian student returned to Chase Bank a week later to find out that his debit and credit cards were not ready. He explained to the clerk that he needed a debit card as soon as possible to make online payments, buy books for school, and purchase goods. He asked the clerk if he could have a temporary card to access his account, but they denied his request. He then asked to withdraw a portion of his money from the Chase account to open another account at Wells Fargo Bank, as they provide temporary debit cards. She returned with the bank manager and said they could not withdraw money from his account. They asked him to provide a U.S. Driver’s License instead of his Iranian passport to facilitate a withdrawal from his account. The Iranian student opened his accounts at Chase Bank with his Iranian passport and I-20, but he was not able to access his accounts with the same documentation.
What is NIAC doing to help?
For too long, U.S. policymakers have focused exclusively on imposing broad-brush sanctions that fail to distinguish between Iran’s government and its people. Iranians have lived under a double burden for decades, suffering not only under the repression of their own government, but also through the hardships imposed by U.S. sanctions. NIAC is leading the call for a new approach to Iran—one that decreases pressure on the Iranian people while simultaneously increasing pressure on Iran’s rulers. NIAC has worked to eliminate U.S. restrictions that block Iranians from communicating via the Internet and prevent American human rights, civil society, and relief organizations from working in Iran. At the same time, NIAC supports targeted sanctions focused squarely on human rights abusers who repress the Iranian people. By eliminating restrictions that punish innocent Iranians and targeting sanctions on Iran’s government, the U.S. can stand with the Iranian people.
Contact NIAC's Policy Team
The National Iranian American Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community. We accomplish our mission by supplying the resources, knowledge and tools to enable greater civic participation by Iranian Americans and informed decision making by policymakers.
US government officials and policymakers in need of rapid support can contact the NIAC policy team for in-depth information and analysis either by phone at 202.386.6325 or via email at policy@niacouncil.org. (Note: If you don't have a government (.gov) email address, please use our regular contact form. All non-government emails will be blocked by spam filters.)
