US Congress research service updates Iran sanctions report

20 August 2026

The Congressional Research Service has published an updated report on US economic sanctions on Iran. The report covers US Iran sanctions policy since 2020.

The report sets out the statutory and executive order basis for US sanctions on Iran. Several statutes have been added since 2020. These include:

• The Masih Alinejad HUNT Act of 2022, which requires sanctions on people who surveil, harass, kidnap or kill Iranians and US citizens who expose corruption or defend human rights in Iran.

• The Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, which requires sanctions on people who own or operate ports, vessels or refineries that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum.

• The No Technology for Terror Act, which applies foreign direct product rules and licensing requirements to certain foreign-produced items exported to Iran.

All legislation and EOs related to Iran sanctions are on our US-Iran pages.

The report states that more than 1,100 entities have been designated for Iran-related sanctions.

The report also explains that the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 sunsets on 31 December 2026. On that date the Act ceases to have effect. The sanctions it requires the President to impose on people investing in Iran's petroleum sector, or supplying Iran with refined petroleum products, would lapse. Congress would need to pass new legislation to extend the Act. Sanctions on the same conduct remain available under separate executive orders and other statutes.