Prohibiting Imports From Iran

This executive order imposes a complete ban on imports of Iranian-origin goods and services into the United States, effective immediately upon signing, citing Iran's state-sponsored terrorism and attacks on shipping in the Persian Gulf. The Treasury Secretary is authorized to issue implementing regulations, with limited exceptions for news materials, third-country-refined petroleum, and goods already exported from Iran before the effective date.

52 FR 41940

No PDF available for this document.

Impact dates

Oct 29, 1987
Import prohibition takes effect; agencies must suspend/terminate existing licenses

Key directives

Prohibit all imports of Iranian-origin goods and services into the United States and its territories
Exempt Iranian-origin publications and materials for news dissemination
Exempt petroleum products refined from Iranian crude oil in third countries
Exempt articles exported from Iran prior to the effective date
Treasury Secretary authorized to promulgate implementing regulations in consultation with State Secretary
All agencies directed to suspend or terminate existing licenses and authorizations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Import prohibition takes effect at 12:01 p.m. EST on October 29, 1987
All agencies directed to suspend or terminate existing licenses and authorizations

Near term (90d)

Treasury Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the ban
Redelegation of functions to other federal officers and agencies

Long term

Sustained trade embargo on Iranian imports until lifted by subsequent action
Potential retaliatory or responsive measures from Iran

Risks & tensions

Explicit framing as response to post-1981 Algiers Accords actions may limit diplomatic flexibility or invite legal challenge on scope
Third-country petroleum refining exemption creates enforcement complexity and potential circumvention risk
Immediate effective date with 'except as otherwise provided in regulations' creates brief regulatory gap
State sponsorship findings are factual assertions without cited evidence in text