22 USC 8726 - Reports on, and authorization of imposition of sanctions with respect to, the provision of specialized financial messaging services to the Central Bank of Iran and other sanctioned Iranian financial institutions

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 8726.

Reports on, and authorization of imposition of sanctions with respect to, the provision of specialized financial messaging services to the Central Bank of Iran and other sanctioned Iranian financial institutions

(a)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1)

providers of specialized financial messaging services are a critical link to the international financial system;

(2)

the European Union is to be commended for strengthening the multilateral sanctions regime against Iran by deciding that specialized financial messaging services may not be provided to the Central Bank of Iran and other sanctioned Iranian financial institutions by persons subject to the jurisdiction of the European Union; and

(3)

the loss of access by sanctioned Iranian financial institutions to specialized financial messaging services must be maintained.

(b)

Reports required

(1)

In general

Not later than 60 days after August 10, 2012, and every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report that contains—

(A)

a list of all persons that the Secretary has identified that directly provide specialized financial messaging services to, or enable or facilitate direct or indirect access to such messaging services for, the Central Bank of Iran or a financial institution described in section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)); and

(B)

a detailed assessment of the status of efforts by the Secretary to end the direct provision of such messaging services to, and the enabling or facilitation of direct or indirect access to such messaging services for, the Central Bank of Iran or a financial institution described in that section.

(2)

Enabling or facilitation of access to specialized financial messaging services through intermediary financial institutions

(3)

Form of report

(c)

Authorization of imposition of sanctions

(1)

In general

(2)

Exception

The President may not impose sanctions pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to a person for directly providing specialized financial messaging services to, or enabling or facilitating direct or indirect access to such messaging services for, the Central Bank of Iran or a financial institution described in section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)) if—

(A)

the person is subject to a sanctions regime under its governing foreign law that requires it to eliminate the knowing provision of such messaging services to, and the knowing enabling and facilitation of direct or indirect access to such messaging services for—

(i)

the Central Bank of Iran; and

(ii)

a group of Iranian financial institutions identified under such governing foreign law for purposes of that sanctions regime if the President determines that—

(I)

the group is substantially similar to the group of financial institutions described in section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)); and

(II)

the differences between those groups of financial institutions do not adversely affect the national interest of the United States; and

(B)

the person has, pursuant to that sanctions regime, terminated the knowing provision of such messaging services to, and the knowing enabling and facilitation of direct or indirect access to such messaging services for, the Central Bank of Iran and each Iranian financial institution identified under such governing foreign law for purposes of that sanctions regime.

(d)

Rule of construction

(Pub. L. 112–158, title II, § 220, Aug. 10, 2012, 126 Stat. 1237.)

cite as: 22 USC 8726