The State Department issued a notice concerning the Jan. 20 implementation of sanctions relief outlined in the Joint Plan of Action, the deal struck between P5+1 countries and Iran to scale back Iranian nuclear enrichment activities. The relief targets Iranian exports of petrochemical products, Iran’s purchase and sale of gold and precious metals, the provision of goods and services to Iran’s automotive sector, and the licensing of safety-of-flight inspections and repairs for Iranian civil aviation, along with the establishment of channels to permit humanitarian goods import. The relief also eases restrictions on Iranian export of crude oil. U.S. citizens and foreign entities owned or controlled by U.S. citizens continue to be generally prohibited from conducting transactions with Iran, unless licensed to do so by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). OFAC provided guidelines for the sanctions relief on Jan. 20 (see 14012113). The relief measures expire on July 20. The P5+1 countries include the U.S., Russia, China, United Kingdom, France and Germany.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following name and address changes on Jan. 24:

The State Department is notifying the public and requesting comment on the first U.S.-Panama Environmental Affairs Council and Environmental Cooperation Commission meetings, scheduled to take place on Jan. 29 in Panama City, Panama. State and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will participate in the meetings. The U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force in October 2012.

The State Department’s Advisory Committee on Private International Law will conduct a public meeting on judgments and other cross-border insolvency issues on Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the State Department in Washington D.C. This is not a meeting of the full advisory committee. The issues that the committee intends to discuss are under consideration at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. Those planning to attend should email pil@state.gov and provide full name, address, date of birth, citizenship, driver’s license or passport number, and e-mail address by Feb. 5.

The State Department’s Shipping Coordinating Committee (SCC) will conduct an open meeting on Feb. 25 at 10:00 a.m. in Arlington, Va. The meeting is intended to prepare participants for the first session of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment to be held at the IMO Headquarters, United Kingdom, March 10-14. Among other topics, the meeting will cover the following:

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) issued the following address change Jan. 14 (here):

The State Department said it received an application from NuStar Logistics, L.P., to amend the 2003 Presidential Permit issued to Valero Logistics Operations L.P. to construct, connect, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities that cross the U.S.-Mexican border. The application says Valero Logistics Operations, L.P. has changed its name to NuStar Logistics, L.P., and requests that the amended permit reflect the change of name to NuStar. NuStar also seeks an amendment now to authorize the transport of LPG and petroleum products, including diesel.

Secretary of State John Kerry determined India, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Turkey qualify for an exception to U.S. sanctions on the importation of Iranian oil. The 180-day exception period began on Nov. 29, 2013. The sanctions and exceptions are outlined in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, amended by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act.

The State Department on Jan. 10 announced the designations of Ansar al-Shari’a in Benghazi, Ansar al-Shari’a in Darnah, and Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia as separate Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorist entities. State also designated Ahmed Abu Khattalah, Sufian bin Qumu, and Seifallah Ben Hassine, also known as “Abou Iyadh,” as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Determined after consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury, the designations include prohibitions against knowingly providing, attempting or conspiring to provide material support or resources or engaging in transactions with these entities and individuals. The designations also freeze all property and interests of the organizations and individuals in the U.S. or in the control of U.S. citizens. The designations will appear in the Federal Register on Jan. 13.

The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls issued the following address change Jan. 9: