UN Sanctions
Passed: June 9, 2010
The sanctions passed with twelve states voting in favor, Lebanon abstaining, and Turkey and Brazil voting against. The sanctions were the fourth round passed by the UN. They include, among other provisions, further restrictions on arms sales to Iran; increased inspection of cargo with Iran as its destination or point of launch; prohibitions on Iran investing in other countries’ nuclear-related activities; additional restrictions on Iranian banks outside the country with connections to Iranian nuclear or missile programs; and a freeze on the assets of 40 companies and one individual.
U.S. Sanctions
Passed: July 1, 2010
President Obama approved additional sanctions that target companies that sell refined petroleum to Iran or help Iran refine its own petroleum. The sanctions also prohibit U.S. government contractors from conducting business with banned sectors in Iran and cut off the access of banks with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) or nuclear program to the U.S. financial system. On August 1, the administration announced sanctions on four officials and 21 organizations accused of assisting terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Taliban. On September 29, the United States expanded its blacklist to include eight Iranian officials for their alleged role in human rights abuses after the June 2009 Iranian presidential elections.
European and Canadian Sanctions
Passed: July 26, 2010
Separately, the EU, Iran’s largest trading partner, and Canada approved sanctions, which, among other things, target conducting business with key components of Iran’s oil and gas sectors; place additional restrictions on Iranian banking in the European Union; ban insurance sector activities with Iran; and target elements of the IRGC and the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines. Norway joined the EU sanctions by passing additional sanctions on July 29.
Australian Sanctions
Passed: July 29, 2010
Australia imposed travel and financial sanctions on 98 entities and 12 individuals in Iranian transport, financial, nuclear and missile programs, and connected with the IRGC. The sanctions also ban arms sales and potential dual-use items that could be used for nuclear or certain weapons development purposes, and restrict business dealings with Iranian oil, gas, transportation, financial and nuclear sectors.
Japanese Sanctions
Passed: September 3, 2010
Japan passed financial sanctions that restrict business with 15 Iranian banks, create critical obstacles to new energy-related investments in Iran, ban insurance-related services to Iran and blacklist 88 companies and 24 individuals.
South Korean Sanctions
Passed: September 8
South Korea passed sanctions against 102 companies and 24 individuals, including the Seoul branch of Iranian Bank Mellat, which conducts transactions for 70 percent of Iranian imports from South Korea. The bank has been accused of supporting large-scale transactions for Iranian weapons and nuclear sectors. Additional aspects of the sanctions include a ban on contracts for Iranian-related oil and gas projects.
