Overview
UN Sanctions
UN sanctions on Iraq were first imposed on Iraq in 1990, by Resolution 661 (1990) in response to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The current UN Sanctions Committee and regime on Iraq was established in 2003 as the successor to the 1990 committee, by Resolution 1483 and Resolution 1518, following the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime.
Those UN Resolutions lifted all previous sanctions against Iraq, except for the arms embargo (since the implementation of Resolution 1564 (2004), the arms embargo does not apply to the Government of Iraq).
They:
- prohibit trade in goods belonging to Iraq’s cultural heritage (with the objective of facilitating their safe return);
- require that all proceeds from export sales of petroleum and natural gas from Iraq are transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq; and
- impose asset freezes targeting family members of Saddam Hussein and former senior officials of his regime.
EU Sanctions
The EU implemented UN sanctions on Iraq in 2003, by Common Position 2003/495/CFSP and Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003.
UK Sanctions
The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 came into force on 31 December 2020.
US Sanctions
The US first imposed sanctions following the invasion of Kuwait, which have since been lifted. Pursuant to EO 13315, there are now targeted sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the former Saddam Hussein regime, and pursuant to EO 13438 the US designates parties who threaten the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or who undermine efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.
Current UN Sanctions
UN sanctions on Iraq were first imposed on Iraq in 1990, by Resolution 661 (1990) in response to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The current UN Sanctions Committee and regime on Iraq was established in 2003 as the successor to the 1990 committee, by Resolution 1483 and Resolution 1518, following the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime.
Those UN Resolutions lifted all previous sanctions against Iraq, except for the arms embargo (since the implementation of Resolution 1564 (2004), the arms embargo does not apply to the Government of Iraq).
They:
- prohibit trade in goods belonging to Iraq’s cultural heritage (with the objective of facilitating their safe return);
- require that all proceeds from export sales of petroleum and natural gas from Iraq are transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq; and
- impose asset freezes targeting family members of Saddam Hussein and former senior officials of his regime.
Current EU Sanctions
The EU implemented UN sanctions on Iraq in 2003, by Common Position 2003/495/CFSP and Council Regulation (EC) No 1210/2003.
Current UK Sanctions
The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 came into force on 31 December 2020.
- Legislation
- Sanctions List
- Guidance
- Judgments
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Pearl Petroleum Company Limited & Others v the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq
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R v PD & EB (Iraq Sanctions) [2011] EWCA Crim 2082
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R v Forsyth; R v Mabey [2011] UKSC 9
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The Greek Fighter [2006] EWHC 1729 (Comm)
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Al-Kishtaini v Shanshal [2001] EWCA Civ 264
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Current US Sanctions
The US first imposed sanctions following the invasion of Kuwait, which have since been lifted. Pursuant to EO 13315, there are now targeted sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the former Saddam Hussein regime, and pursuant to EO 13438 the US designates parties who threaten the peace or stability of Iraq or the Government of Iraq or who undermine efforts to promote economic reconstruction and political reform in Iraq or to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people.
- Legislation
Removal of the Iraqi Sanctions Regulations
Iraq Stabilisation and Insurgency Sanctions Regulations
EO 13668 Ending Immunities Granted to the Development Fund for Iraq and Certain Other Iraqi Property and Interests in Property Pursuant to Executive Order 13303, as Amended(May 27, 2014)
EO 13438 Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq (July 17, 2007)
EO 13364 Modifying the Protection Granted to the Development Fund for Iraq (November 29, 2004)
EO 13350 Termination of Emergency Declared in Executive Order 12722 With Respect to Iraq and Modification of Executive Order 13290, Executive Order 13303, and Executive Order 13315 (Effective Date – July 30, 2004)
EO 13315 Blocking Property of the Former Iraqi Regime, Its Senior Officials and Their Family Members, and Taking Certain Other Actions (Effective Date – August 29, 2003)
EO 13303 Protecting the Development Fund for Iraq and Certain Other Property in Which Iraq Has an Interest (May 22, 2003)
EO 13290 Confiscating and Vesting Certain Iraqi Property (March 20, 2003)
- Sanctions List
Search “Iraq” on the OFAC SDN List
- Guidance
Iraq: Overview of Sanctions
- US General Licences
Iraqi General License – Section 575.533 Certain new transactions now authorized. (March 26, 2004)
Iraqi General License (No. 6) – Section 575.534 Transfers of certain blocked claims by U.S. financial institutions.(September 30, 2003)
Iraqi General License (No. 1 / 13315) – on or after August 29, 2003, all transactions with state bodies, corporations, or agencies of the former Iraqi regime that are otherwise prohibited by section 1 of Executive Order 13315, are permitted. (August 30, 2003)
