On January 20, 2014, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Department of State issued guidance implementing the Joint Plan of Action (“JPOA”) entered into by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, the People’s Republic of China, and Germany (P5+1) on November 24, 2013 (“Guidance”). [1] On the same day, the European Union implemented temporary sanctions relief, also effective January 20, 2014, in connection with the JPOA.[2] The JPOA provides the Islamic Republic of Iran with temporary, targeted, and reversible sanctions relief for a six-month period in exchange for Iran halting progress on and making meaningful changes to its nuclear program.

As set forth in the Guidance, the temporary sanctions relief relates to the following: (i) Iranian exports of crude oil; (ii) Iranian exports of petrochemical products; (ii) transactions involving gold and other precious metals; (iv) transactions relating to the Iranian automotive industry; (v) transactions relating to civil aviation in Iran; and (vi) humanitarian and other assistance.

The following key aspects of the relief should be considered in determining whether a business should pursue an opportunity based on the relief measures:

• With the exception of civil aviation and humanitarian activities, the U.S. sanctions relief is directed toward non-U.S. persons that are neither owned nor controlled by U.S. persons, including non-U.S. financial institutions.[3]
• The sanctions relief extends to “associated services,” which are necessary services, such as insurance, transportation, and financial services, that are ordinarily incident to the underlying activity covered by the JPOA.
• The sanctions relief is temporary and applies only to activities and associated services that are both initiated and concluded exclusively during the six-month period beginning on January 20, 2014 and ending July 20, 2014 (“JPOA Period”). Activities taking place before or after this six-month period may trigger sanctions. Therefore, companies seeking to take advantage of the relief should structure their transactions accordingly. 
• The sanctions relief is reversible: the U.S. Government retained the authority to revoke the sanctions relief at any time if Iran fails to meet its commitments under the JPOA.
• The broader sanctions architecture restricting business with Iran and prohibiting investments in Iran remains in place.  Similarly, with the exception of the companies specifically listed in the Guidance, the prohibition on transactions with individuals or entities on the Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (“SDN List”) also remains in place.

Given the limited scope and duration of the sanctions relief, the substantial complexity of the sanctions regime that remains in place, and the uncertainty regarding the prospects for a long-term agreement, it is advisable for anyone seeking to pursue potential new business opportunities based on the recent U.S. Guidance to exercise caution. During his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen cautioned business to be careful in pursuing opportunities with Iran because of the very narrow economic activity that is allowed under the sanctions relief and the extensive and complicated sanctions that remain in place. Accordingly, those considering new business opportunities in Iran or with Iranian entities should take a slow and measured approach and ensure they are complying with the applicable U.S. and E.U. restrictions.

Iranian Exports of Petroleum and Petroleum Products.
The JPOA provides for sanctions relief related to Iran’s sales of crude oil.  Under the JPOA, Iran will be permitted to maintain its current average level of exports of petroleum and petroleum products to China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey (approximately 100 million barrels per day). The JPOA, however, does not allow for an increase in the level of exports to these six countries, nor does it allow for the export of petroleum or petroleum products to new markets.  In addition, the JPOA does not affect other U.S. sanctions on Iran’s energy sector, such as those prohibiting the provision of goods and services to or investment in Iran’s energy sector.

During the JPOA Period, the U.S. also has agreed to suspend sanctions on associated insurance and transportation services related to Iran’s exports of petroleum and petroleum products to the above-mentioned countries. Similarly, the E.U. suspended the prohibition on the provision of insurance and reinsurance and transportation services for Iranian crude-oil sold to non-E.U. countries.

As part of  this relief, the U.S. Government will take the following steps:

• The U.S. Government will not require U.S. financial institutions to impose correspondent or payable-through account sanctions with respect to foreign financial institutions under the primary jurisdiction of China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey that conduct or facilitate transactions exclusively during the JPOA Period by non-U.S. persons.  This includes transactions with the National Iranian Oil Company (“NIOC”) or the National Iranian Tanker Company (“NITC”).
• The U.S. Government will not impose blocking sanctions (i.e., the designation of entities as SDNs and an associated asset freeze) on non-U.S. persons that materially assist, sponsor, or provide financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services, in support of the above-described exports of petroleum or petroleum products.
• The U.S. Government also is suspending the application of so-called “menu-based” sanctions on petroleum-related transactions with Iran. 

The transactions, however, cannot involve persons on the SDN List, other than NIOC, NITC, or any Iranian depository institutions listed solely pursuant to Executive Order 13599.

In addition, under the JPOA, approximately $4.2 billion held in accounts in non-U.S. financial institutions that have been designated under the U.S. sanctions relief guidelines as “Restricted Funds” are permitted to be repatriated in eight installments throughout the JPOA Period, contingent on Iran’s fulfillment of its commitments under the JPOA.

Iranian Exports of Petrochemical Products.
The JPOA provides for the temporary suspension of sanctions on “Iran’s petrochemical exports, as well as sanctions on associated services.” Accordingly, the U.S. Government will not impose sanctions on non-U.S. persons who engage in transactions related to petrochemical exports from Iran, including transactions for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petrochemical products from Iran during the JPOA Period.  The E.U. also suspended its prohibition on the import, purchase, or transport of Iranian petrochemical products and on the provision of related services.

As part of this relief the U.S. Government will take the following steps:

• The U.S. Government will not require U.S. financial institutions to impose correspondent or payable-through account sanctions with respect to foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate these transactions.
• The U.S. Government also will not impose blocking sanctions with respect to persons engaged in activities ancillary to such transactions.
• The U.S. Government also is suspending the application of additional “menu-based” sanctions required to be imposed on non-U.S. persons for engaging in specified petrochemical transactions.

The transactions at issue, however, cannot involve persons on the SDN List, with the exception of 14 specifically enumerated Iranian petrochemical companies and any Iranian depository institutions listed solely pursuant to Executive Order 13599.

Transactions Involving Gold and Other Precious Metals.
The JPOA provides for the temporary suspension of U.S. sanctions on “gold and precious metals, as well as associated services.” This means that the United States will not impose sanctions on non-U.S. persons for engaging in certain activities relating to precious metals, including the sale, supply, or transfer, directly or indirectly, to or from Iran, of any precious metal during the JPOA Period. The E.U. also suspended its prohibition on trade in gold and precious metals with the Government of Iran, its public bodies, and the Central Bank of Iran, or persons or entities acting on their behalf.

With respect to the U.S. sanctions relief, the funds for the purchase of any precious metals may not be drawn from Restricted Funds. In addition, the transactions cannot involve persons on the SDN List other than Government of Iran entities and Iranian depository institutions listed solely pursuant to Executive Order 13599.

Transactions Involving the Iranian Automotive Industry.
The JPOA provides for the temporary suspension of U.S. sanctions on “Iran’s auto industry, as well as sanctions on associated services.” Under the JPOA, non-U.S. persons will not be sanctioned for engaging in transactions for the sale, supply, or transfer to Iran of significant goods or services used in connection with the automotive sector in Iran. This relief applies to the manufacturing and assembly in Iran of light and heavy vehicles including cars, trucks, and buses. As with other activities, transactions must take place during the JPOA Period and are limited to non-U.S. persons. In addition, the transactions cannot involve persons on the SDN List other than Iranian depository institutions listed solely pursuant to Executive Order 13599.

Transactions Relating to Civil Aviation in Iran.
The JPOA provides for temporary licensing for the “supply and installation in Iran of spare parts” for the safety of Iranian civil aviation and associated services. Unlike other aspects of the sanctions relief, this relief extends to U.S. persons.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) of the U.S. Department of Treasury issued a Statement of Licensing in connection with the Guidelines, which provides that U.S. persons, non-U.S. entities owned or controlled by U.S. persons, and non-U.S. persons can request specific authorization from OFAC to engage in otherwise prohibited exports or re-exports to ensure the safe operation of Iranian commercial passenger aircraft.[4] The transactions can involve Iran Air, but not other Iranian airlines appearing on the SDN List.  As with other transactions, the civil aviation activities must be initiated and completed by July 20, 2014. 

As part of this relief, the U.S. Government will not require U.S. financial institutions to impose correspondent or payable-through account sanctions with respect to foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate such activities, provided that such activities do not involve persons on the SDN List other than Iran Air or Iranian depository institutions listed solely pursuant to Executive Order 13599. The U.S. Government also will not impose blocking sanctions on non-U.S. persons engaged in ancillary activities within the scope of the JPOA guidance.

Humanitarian and Other Assistance.
The JPOA also established a mechanism whereby foreign financial institutions selected by Iran and specifically contacted and advised by the U.S. Government will be permitted to facilitate: 1) purchases by Iran for food, agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices; 2) payment by Iran of its United Nations obligations; 3) payments by Iranian citizens for medical expenses incurred outside of Iran; and 4) payments by Iranian citizens for tuition payments incurred by Iranian students studying outside of Iran. Please note, however, that preexisting exceptions to the U.S. sanctions regime generally permit humanitarian trade with Iran such that the above-described mechanism is not the exclusive means for non-U.S. persons to facilitate or finance such transactions.

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In sum, the JPOA provides for limited sanctions relief on Iranian exports of crude oil, Iranian exports of petrochemical products, Iranian trade of gold and other precious metals, Iran’s auto industry, and humanitarian and other activities. As explained above, the sanctions relief is limited and reversible and the window for completing related transactions is narrow -- all transactions must be completed by July 20, 2014. In addition, the vast U.S. and E.U. sanctions architecture restricting business with and investments in Iran remains in place. Accordingly, businesses considering potential new opportunities in Iran or with Iranian entities based on the sanctions relief should proceed cautiously.

Notes:

[1] See http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/jpoa_guidance.pdf; see also http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/jpoa_faqs.pdf. The JPOA may be accessed at http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/131124_03_en.pdf

[3] References to  non-U.S. persons in this Alert include non-U.S. persons not otherwise subject to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 560. That is, foreign entities that are neither owned nor controlled by U.S. Persons.

[4] See Policy on Activities Related to the Safety of Iran’s Civil Aviation Industry at http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/civil_aviation_slp_iran.pdf.