PAAIA to Release Report on Sanctions
June 7, 2012, Washington D.C. – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is poased to release an updated report covering recent sanctions legislation, including those enacted by the Executive Office and pending before the 112th Congress. The report also includes information on the sanctions imposed by the United Nations. In addition to summarizing the recent wave of legislation against Iran, the report cites the history of sanctions over the last three decades as well as the various arguments in support of and against the sanctions.
The Sanctions report is part of an ongoing effort to provide objective non-partisan analysis on issues affecting the Iranian American community under PAAIA’s newly established Public Policy Center. With the passing of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (CISADA) from the 111th Congress and the recently passed Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Human Rights Act (ISAHRA) in the Senate, the United States is placing increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran in reaction its controversial nuclear program.
Iran sanctions apply to all U.S. persons, including those who are physically in the United States (regardless of their immigration status), those who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents (regardless of whether they live in the U.S. or abroad), and owners of companies that are organized under U.S. laws are required to abide by the Iran sanctions. The sanctions restrict any individual’s ability to bring, receive, take, or send services and goods to and from Iran. This includes technology and money related to an online business or website, inheritance from a relative, or property maintained in Iran. Nonetheless there are exceptions to the sanctions regulations, particularly by obtaining of an OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) license.
For more in depth understanding of the sanctions and how they may affect Iranian Americans, please read the Report on Sanctions Legislation from the 112th Congress.
While PAAIA is focused on domestic U.S. affairs as they relate to the Iranian American community and has not been a platform for promoting U.S. foreign policy vis-à-vis Iran, we recognize the importance of Iranian Americans being informed about legislative initiatives and positions of their members of Congress concerning this topic.