CRS Says Gas Sales to Iran Have Fallen Dramatically Since CISADA's Enactment
The Congressional Research Service has updated its report (RS20871) entitled “Iran Sanctions” which discusses what appears to be a growing international consensus to adopt progressively strict economic sanctions against Iran to try to compel it to compromise on its further nuclear development.
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CRS notes that in the U.S., the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA, P.L. 111-195) significantly expanded the 1996 Iran Sanctions Act to restrict Iran’s ability to make or import gasoline and add a broad range of other measures further restricting the already limited amount of U.S. trade with Iran.
According to CRS, sales to Iran of gasoline have fallen dramatically since CISADA was enacted. U.S. officials say that the cumulative effect could harm Iran’s economy to the point where domestic pressure compels Iranian leaders to accept a nuclear compromise - the key strategic objective of the sanctions. However, there is a consensus that sanctions have not, to date, caused such an Iranian policy shift.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 11/05/10 news, 10110506, for BP summary of the October 2010 version of CRS’ report on Iran Sanctions.)