Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015

To expand sanctions imposed with respect to Iran and to impose additional sanctions with respect to Iran, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Sec. 3. Sense of Congress. TITLE I—Congressional review of agreements with, economic sanctions relief provided to, Iran Sec. 101. Transmission to Congress of agreements with Iran and assessment reports with respect to such agreements. Sec. 102. Period for review by Congress of long-term comprehensive solution. TITLE II—Expansion and imposition of sanctions Sec. 201. Effective dates for staged imposition of sanctions if long-term comprehensive solution not reached. Sec. 202. Termination of suspension of sanctions. Sec. 203. Applicability of sanctions with respect to petroleum transactions. Sec. 204. Ineligibility for exception to certain sanctions for countries that do not reduce purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level. Sec. 205. Identification of, and imposition of sanctions with respect to, certain Iranian individuals. Sec. 206. Imposition of sanctions with respect to transactions in foreign currencies with or for certain sanctioned persons. Sec. 207. Imposition of sanctions with respect to ports, special economic zones, and strategic sectors of Iran. Sec. 208. Waiver of sanctions. TITLE III—General provisions Sec. 301. Exception for Afghanistan reconstruction. Sec. 302. Exception for import restrictions. Sec. 303. Applicability to certain intelligence activities. Sec. 304. Applicability to certain natural gas projects. Sec. 305. Rule of construction with respect to the use of force against Iran. Sec. 306. Sense of Congress on increased staffing for agencies involved in the implementation and enforcement of sanctions against Iran. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees Public Law 104–172 50 U.S.C. 1701 (2) Joint Plan of Action The term Joint Plan of Action (A) means the Joint Plan of Action, signed at Geneva November 24, 2013, by Iran and the P5-plus-1 countries; and (B) includes all implementing materials and agreements related to the Joint Plan of Action, including the technical understandings reached on January 12, 2014, the extension agreed to on July 19, 2014, the extension agreed to on November 24, 2014, and any extension that is agreed to on or after the date of the enactment of this Act and is transmitted to the appropriate congressional committees pursuant to section 101. (3) Long-term comprehensive solution The term long-term comprehensive solution (4) P5-plus-1 countries The term P5-plus-1 countries 3. Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that— (1) it is the policy of the United States that the Government of Iran will not be allowed to develop or otherwise acquire a nuclear weapon capability; (2) all instruments of power and influence of the United States should remain on the table to prevent the Government of Iran from developing or otherwise acquiring a nuclear weapon capability; (3) a long-term comprehensive solution with Iran will be most sustainable over the long term if the President consults and coordinates closely with Congress to implement a strategy that decisively ends any nuclear threat from Iran; (4) the Government of Iran does not have an absolute or inherent right to enrichment and reprocessing capabilities and technologies under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Washington, London, and Moscow July 1, 1968, and entered into force March 5, 1970 (commonly referred to as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (5) the goal of international negotiations with Iran, led by the United States, should be to conclude a long-term comprehensive solution with parameters that will— (A) reverse the development of Iran’s illicit nuclear infrastructure, including enrichment and reprocessing capabilities and facilities, the heavy water reactor and production plant at Arak, and any nuclear weapon components and technology, such that Iran is precluded from a nuclear breakout capability and prevented from pursuing both uranium and plutonium pathways to a nuclear weapon; (B) bring Iran into compliance with all United Nations Security Council resolutions related to Iran’s nuclear program, including Resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), and 1929 (2010), with a view toward bringing to a satisfactory conclusion the Security Council’s consideration of matters relating to the nuclear program of Iran; (C) resolve all issues of past and present concern with the International Atomic Energy Agency, including possible military dimensions of the nuclear program of Iran, and give inspectors access to personnel, documents, and facilities involved, at any point, with nuclear or nuclear weapons-related activities of Iran; (D) permit on-site and short-notice inspection, verification, and monitoring of all declared and suspect facilities in Iran, including installation and use of any compliance verification equipment requested by the International Atomic Energy Agency, such that any effort by Iran to produce a nuclear weapon will be quickly detected; (E) require that Iran fully implement and comply with— (i) the Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Vienna June 19, 1973 (commonly referred to as the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (ii) modified Code 3.1 of the Subsidiary Arrangements to the Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; and (iii) ratification and implementation of the Protocol Additional to the Agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Vienna December 18, 2003 (commonly referred to as the Additional Protocol (F) require that Iran implement measures in addition to the Additional Protocol that include verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency of Iran’s centrifuge research, development, and manufacturing facilities, including raw materials and components, and Iran’s uranium mines, mills, and processing facilities; (6) the United States should continue to impose sanctions on the Government of Iran and its proxies for their continuing sponsorship of terrorism; (7) the United States should continue to impose sanctions on the Government of Iran and Iranian persons for— (A) ongoing abuses of human rights; and (B) actions in support of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria; and (8) the United States should continue to impose sanctions on the Government of Iran and other governments and persons for the procurement, sale, or transfer of technology, services, or goods that support the development or acquisition of weapons of mass destruction or the means of delivery of those weapons. I Congressional review of agreements with, economic sanctions relief provided to, Iran 101. Transmission to Congress of agreements with Iran and assessment reports with respect to such agreements (a) Transmission of agreements Not later than 5 days after entering into a long-term comprehensive solution or any agreement to extend the Joint Plan of Action entered into after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees— (1) the text of the agreement; (2) a verification assessment report of the Secretary of State prepared under subsection (b) with respect to the agreement; and (3) an economic sanctions relief assessment report of the Secretary of the Treasury prepared under subsection (c) with respect to the agreement. (b) Verification assessment report (1) In general The Secretary of State shall, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, prepare, with respect to each agreement described in subsection (a), a report assessing the extent to which the Secretary will be able to verify that Iran is complying with its obligations under the agreement. (2) Assumptions In preparing a report under paragraph (1) with respect to an agreement described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall assume that Iran could— (A) use all measures not expressly prohibited by the agreement to conceal activities that violate its obligations under the agreement; and (B) alter or deviate from standard practices in order to impede efforts to verify that Iran is complying with those obligations. (c) Economic sanctions relief assessment report The Secretary of the Treasury shall, in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence, prepare, with respect to each agreement described in subsection (a), a report assessing the extent to which the economy of Iran— (1) has, as of the date of the report, directly and indirectly benefited from sanctions relief pursuant to the Joint Plan of Action; and (2) is likely, over the course of the agreement, to directly and indirectly benefit from proposed sanctions relief, including enhanced trade and market opportunities, pursuant to the agreement. (d) Form of reports Each report under subsection (b) or (c) shall be transmitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex. 102. Period for review by Congress of long-term comprehensive solution (a) Transmission of Long-Term Comprehensive Solution (1) In general After transmitting a long-term comprehensive solution and the assessment reports under section 101(a), the President shall not exercise any waiver authority provided under any provision of law imposing sanctions with respect to Iran, refrain from applying any such sanctions, or take any other action to alter or limit the application of sanctions in connection with or to implement the long-term comprehensive solution, until the date that is 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the President transmits the long-term comprehensive solution and the assessment reports. (2) Exception The prohibition under paragraph (1) does not apply to a renewal of any deferral, waiver, or other suspension of sanctions pursuant to the Joint Plan of Action if that deferral, waiver, or other suspension is made— (A) consistent with the law in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) not later than 45 days before the transmission by the President of the long-term comprehensive solution and the assessment reports under section 101(a). (3) Rule of construction The President shall not construe this subsection to allow any new deferral, waiver, or other suspension of sanctions with respect to Iran during the 30 days of continuous session specified in paragraph (1). (b) Computation of continuous session days In computing days of continuous session of Congress under subsection (a)— (1) the days on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 days to a date certain are excluded; and (2) continuity of session is broken only by an adjournment of Congress sine die. II Expansion and imposition of sanctions 201. Effective dates for staged imposition of sanctions if long-term comprehensive solution not reached If the President has not transmitted to the appropriate congressional committees, pursuant to section 101, a long-term comprehensive solution and the assessment reports described in that section— (1) by July 6, 2015, section 202 shall take effect; (2) by August 3, 2015, the provisions of and amendments made by section 203 shall take effect; (3) by September 7, 2015, the provisions of and amendments made by section 204 shall take effect; (4) by October 5, 2015, the provisions of and amendments made by section 205 shall take effect; (5) by November 2, 2015, the provisions of and amendments made by section 206 shall take effect; and (6) by December 7, 2015, the provisions of and amendments made by section 207 shall take effect. 202. Termination of suspension of sanctions Any sanctions imposed pursuant to statute or executive action that are deferred, waived, or otherwise suspended by the President before the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to the Joint Plan of Action shall be reinstated on the effective date specified in section 201(1). 203. Applicability of sanctions with respect to petroleum transactions (a) In general Section 1245(d)(4)(D)(i) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(4)(D)(i) (1) in subclause (I), by striking reduced reduced its volume of crude oil purchases from Iran reduced the volume of its purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin (2) in subclause (II), by striking crude oil purchases from Iran purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin (b) Definitions Section 1245(h) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8513a(h) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and (2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Iranian origin The term Iranian origin (4) Petroleum The term petroleum . (c) Conforming amendments Section 102(b) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8712(b) (1) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking crude oil purchases from Iran purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin (B) by striking as amended by section 504, (2) in paragraph (4), by striking crude oil purchases purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin (d) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to determinations under section 1245(d)(4)(D)(i) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(4)(D)(i) 204. Ineligibility for exception to certain sanctions for countries that do not reduce purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level (a) Statement of policy It shall be the policy of the United States to seek to ensure that all countries reduce their purchases of crude oil, lease condensates, fuel oils, and other unfinished oils from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level by the end of the 240-day period beginning on the effective date specified in section 201(3). (b) Ineligibility for exceptions to sanctions Section 1245(d)(4)(D) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(4)(D) (iii) Ineligibility for exception (I) In general A country that purchased petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin during the one-year period preceding the effective date specified in section 201(3) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (aa) if the country reduces its purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level by the end of the 240-day period beginning on such effective date; or (bb) as provided in subclause (II) or (III). (II) Countries that dramatically reduce purchases (aa) In general A country that would otherwise be ineligible pursuant to subclause (I)(aa) to receive an exception under clause (i) may continue to receive such an exception during the one-year period beginning on the date that is 240 days after the effective date specified in section 201(3) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (AA) dramatically reduces by at least 30 percent its purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin during the 240-day period beginning on such effective date, as compared to its average monthly purchases of such petroleum during calendar year 2014; and (BB) is expected to reduce its purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level within a defined period of time that is not longer than 2 years after such effective date. (bb) Termination of exception If a country that continues to receive an exception under clause (i) pursuant to item (aa) does not reduce its purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level by the date that is 2 years after the effective date specified in section 201(3) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (III) Reinstatement of eligibility for exception A country that becomes ineligible for an exception under clause (i) pursuant to subclause (I) or (II) shall be eligible for such an exception in accordance with the provisions of clause (i) on and after the date on which the President determines the country has reduced its purchases of petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level. . (c) Conforming amendment Section 1245(d)(4)(D)(i) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(4)(D)(i) Sanctions imposed Except as provided in clause (iii), sanctions imposed 205. Identification of, and imposition of sanctions with respect to, certain Iranian individuals (a) Expansion of individuals identified Section 221(a) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8727(a) (1) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ; or (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) an individual who engages in activities for or on behalf of the Government of Iran that enables Iran to evade sanctions imposed by the United States with respect to Iran; (4) an individual acting on behalf of the Government of Iran who is involved in corrupt activities of that Government or the diversion of humanitarian goods, including agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical devices, intended for the people of Iran; or (5) a senior official— (A) of an entity designated for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (i) Iran's illicit nuclear activities or proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or delivery systems for weapons of mass destruction; or (ii) Iran's support for acts of international terrorism; and (B) who was involved in the activity for which the entity was designated for the imposition of sanctions. . (b) Expansion of senior officials described Section 221(b) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8727(b) (1) in paragraph (5), by striking ; or (2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (3) by adding at the end the following: (7) a senior official of— (A) the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran; (B) the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran; (C) the Islamic Consultative Assembly of Iran; (D) the Council of Ministers of Iran; (E) the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics of Iran; (F) the Ministry of Justice of Iran; (G) the Ministry of Interior of Iran; (H) the prison system of Iran; or (I) the judicial system of Iran. . (c) Blocking of property Section 221 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8727 (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (e) and (f), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following: (d) Blocking of property (1) Officials and other actors In the case of an individual described in paragraph (1), (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (a) who is on the list required by that subsection, the President shall block and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of that individual if such property or interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a United States person. (2) Family members In the case of an individual described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) who is on the list required by that subsection, the President shall block and prohibit a transaction in property or an interest in property of that individual if the property or interest in property— (A) was transferred to that individual from an individual described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) who is on the list required by that subsection; and (B) is in the United States, comes within the United States, or is or comes within the possession or control of a United States person. . (d) Conforming amendments Section 221 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8727 (1) by striking the section heading and inserting Identification of, and imposition of sanctions with respect to, certain Iranian individuals (2) in subsection (a), by striking Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act Not later than 90 days after the effective date specified in section 201(4) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (3) in subsection (c), by striking subsection (d) subsection (e) (e) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8701 et seq. Sec. 221. Identification of, and imposition of sanctions with respect to, certain Iranian individuals. . 206. Imposition of sanctions with respect to transactions in foreign currencies with or for certain sanctioned persons (a) In general Title II of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8721 et seq. (1) by inserting after section 221 the following: C Other matters ; (2) by redesignating sections 222, 223, and 224 as sections 231, 232, and 233, respectively; and (3) by inserting after section 221 the following: 222. Imposition of sanctions with respect to transactions in foreign currencies with certain sanctioned persons (a) Imposition of sanctions The President— (1) shall prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintaining, in the United States of a correspondent account or a payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates a transaction described in subsection (b)(1); and (2) may impose sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (b) Transactions described (1) In general A transaction described in this subsection is a significant transaction conducted or facilitated by a person related to the currency of a country other than the country with primary jurisdiction over the person with, for, or on behalf of— (A) the Central Bank of Iran or an Iranian financial institution designated by the Secretary of the Treasury for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. (B) a person described in section 1244(c)(2) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8803(c)(2) (2) Primary jurisdiction For purposes of paragraph (1), a country in which a person operates shall be deemed to have primary jurisdiction over the person only with respect to the operations of the person in that country. (c) Applicability Subsection (a) shall apply with respect to a transaction described in subsection (b)(1) conducted or facilitated— (1) on or after the effective date specified in section 201(5) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (2) on or after the date that is 90 days after such effective date pursuant to a contract entered into before such effective date. (d) Inapplicability to humanitarian transactions The President may not impose sanctions under subsection (a) with respect to any person for conducting or facilitating a transaction for the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, or medical devices to Iran or for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of Iran. (e) Waiver (1) In general The President may waive the application of subsection (a) with respect to a person for a period of not more than 180 days, and may renew that waiver for additional periods of not more than 180 days, if the President— (A) determines that the waiver is important to the national interest of the United States; and (B) not less than 15 days after the waiver or the renewal of the waiver, as the case may be, takes effect, submits a report to the appropriate congressional committees on the waiver and the reason for the waiver. (2) Form of report Each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified annex. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Financial institution; Iranian financial institution The terms financial institution Iranian financial institution 22 U.S.C. 8513b(d) (2) Transaction The term transaction . (b) Additional definitions Section 2 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8701 (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (5), (6), and (9), respectively; (2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) Account; correspondent account; payable-through account The terms account correspondent account payable-through account (2) Agricultural commodity The term agricultural commodity 7 U.S.C. 5602 (3) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees Public Law 104–172 50 U.S.C. 1701 (4) Domestic financial institution; foreign financial institution The terms domestic financial institution foreign financial institution 22 U.S.C. 8513(i) ; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (6), as redesignated by paragraph (1), the following: (7) Medical device The term medical device device 21 U.S.C. 321 (8) Medicine The term medicine drug 21 U.S.C. 321 . (c) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 is amended by striking the items relating to sections 222, 223, and 224 and inserting the following: Sec. 222. Imposition of sanctions with respect to transactions in foreign currencies with certain sanctioned persons. Subtitle C—Other matters Sec. 231. Sense of Congress and rule of construction relating to certain authorities of State and local governments. Sec. 232. Government Accountability Office report on foreign entities that invest in the energy sector of Iran or export refined petroleum products to Iran. Sec. 233. Reporting on the importation to and exportation from Iran of crude oil and refined petroleum products. . 207. Imposition of sanctions with respect to ports, special economic zones, and strategic sectors of Iran (a) Findings Section 1244(a)(1) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8803(a)(1) and shipbuilding shipbuilding, automotive, construction, engineering, and mining (b) Expansion of designation of entities of proliferation concern Section 1244(b) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8803(b) in Iran and entities in the energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors , special economic zones, or free economic zones in Iran, and entities in strategic sectors (c) Expansion of entities subject to blocking of property Section 1244(c) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8803(c) (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (B) by striking the energy, shipping, or shipbuilding sectors a strategic sector (C) by inserting , special economic zone, or free economic zone port (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) Strategic sector defined (A) In general In this section, the term strategic sector (i) the energy, shipping, shipbuilding, automotive, and mining sectors of Iran; (ii) except as provided in subparagraph (B), the construction and engineering sectors of Iran; and (iii) any other sector the President designates as of strategic importance to Iran. (B) Exception for construction and engineering of schools, hospitals, and similar facilities For purposes of this section, a project to construct or engineer a school, hospital, or similar facility (as determined by the President) shall not be considered part of a strategic sector of Iran. (C) Notification of strategic sector designation The President shall submit to Congress a notification of the designation of a sector as a strategic sector of Iran for purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii) not later than 5 days after the date on which the President makes the designation. . (d) Additional sanctions with respect to strategic sectors Section 1244(d) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8803(d) (1) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (3) in paragraph (3), by striking the energy, shipping, or shipbuilding sectors a strategic sector (e) Sale, supply, or transfer of certain materials to or from Iran Section 1245 of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8804 (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (B) in subparagraph (C)(i)(I), by striking the energy, shipping, or shipbuilding sectors a strategic sector (as defined in section 1244(c)(4)) (2) in subsection (c), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (f) Provision of insurance to sanctioned persons Section 1246(a)(1) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8805(a)(1) (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act the effective date specified in section 201(6) of the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 (2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking the energy, shipping, or shipbuilding sectors a strategic sector (as defined in section 1244(c)(4)) (g) Conforming amendments Section 1244 of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8803 (1) in the section heading, by striking the energy, shipping, and shipbuilding certain ports, economic zones, and (2) in subsection (b), in the subsection heading, by striking ports and entities in the energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors of Iran as (3) in subsection (c), in the subsection heading, by striking entities in energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors certain entities (4) in subsection (d), in the subsection heading, by striking the energy, shipping, and shipbuilding strategic 208. Waiver of sanctions The President may waive the application of any sanction pursuant to a provision of or amendment made by this title for a 30-day period, and may renew the waiver for additional 30-day periods, if the President, before the waiver or renewal, as the case may be— (1) certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that— (A) the waiver or renewal, as the case may be, is in the national security interest of the United States; (B) the waiver or renewal, as the case may be, is necessary to and likely to result in achieving a long-term comprehensive solution with Iran; and (C) Iran is not making further progress on its nuclear weapons program and is in compliance with all interim agreements with respect to that program; and (2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive report on the status of the negotiations toward a long-term comprehensive solution that includes an assessment of the likelihood of reaching that solution and the timeframe anticipated for achieving that solution. III General provisions 301. Exception for Afghanistan reconstruction The President may provide for an exception from the imposition of sanctions under the provisions of or amendments made by this Act for reconstruction assistance or economic development for Afghanistan— (1) to the extent that the President determines that such an exception is in the national interest of the United States; and (2) if, not later than 15 days before issuing the exception, the President submits a notification of and justification for the exception to the appropriate congressional committees. 302. Exception for import restrictions Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act authorizes or requires the President to impose sanctions relating to the importation of goods. 303. Applicability to certain intelligence activities Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall apply to the authorized intelligence activities of the United States. 304. Applicability to certain natural gas projects Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be construed to apply with respect to any activity relating to a project described in subsection (a) of section 603 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 ( 22 U.S.C. 8783 305. Rule of construction with respect to the use of force against Iran Nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act shall be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization of the use of force against Iran. 306. Sense of Congress on increased staffing for agencies involved in the implementation and enforcement of sanctions against Iran It is the sense of Congress that— (1) when the President submits the President’s budget for fiscal year 2016 to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the President should, in that budget, prioritize— (A) resources for the Office of Foreign Assets Control for the Department of the Treasury dedicated to the implementation and enforcement of sanctions with respect to Iran; and (B) resources for the Department of State dedicated to the implementation and enforcement of sanctions with respect to Iran; and (2) the appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives should prioritize the resources described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) during consideration of authorization and appropriations legislation in future fiscal years.

Summary: Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015 Expresses the sense of Congress that: it is U.S. policy that Iran not be allowed to develop or acquire nuclear weapon capabilities; Iran does not have an inherent right to enrichment and reprocessing capabilities under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons; the goal of international negotiations with Iran should be to conclude a long-term comprehensive solution that will reverse the development of Iran's illicit nuclear infrastructure; and the United States should continue to impose sanctions on Iran and its terrorist proxies, and on Iran and other governments and persons for the procurement, sale, or transfer of technology, services, or goods that support the development of weapons of mass destruction. Directs the President, within five days after entering into a long-term comprehensive solution or any agreement to extend the Joint Plan of Action (signed in 2013 by Iran and the P5-plus-1 countries), to transmit to Congress: (1) the text of the agreement, (2) a verification assessment report, and (3) an economic sanctions relief assessment report. Prohibits the President, except in certain circumstances, from exercising any waiver of sanctions on Iran or taking any other action to alter or limit the application of sanctions until the date that is 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the President transmits these comprehensive solution and assessment reports. Reinstates as of July 6, 2015, any sanctions imposed pursuant to statute or executive action that are deferred, waived, or otherwise suspended by the President if the President has not transmitted the comprehensive solution and reports to Congress by that date. Revises exceptions to certain sanctions with respect to financial transactions for purchases of Iranian-origin petroleum (currently, only crude oil). Declares that it is U.S. policy to seek to ensure that all countries reduce their purchases of crude oil, lease condensates, fuel oils, and other unfinished oils from Iran or of Iranian origin to a de minimis level by the end of the 240-day period beginning on September 7, 2015. Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to authorize a country that purchased petroleum from Iran or of Iranian origin during the one-year period preceding September 7, 2015, to continue to receive a sanction exception on or after the date that is 240 days after September 7, 2015, only if the country reduces its purchases of Iranian or Iranian origin petroleum: to a de minimis level by the end of that 240-day period; or during the one-year period beginning 240 days after September 7, 2015, reduces such purchases by at least 30% during that 240-day period, and is expected to reduce them to a de minimis level within 2 years after September 7, 2015. Amends the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 to exclude from U.S. entry: any individual who engages in sanction evasion activities for or on behalf of the government of Iran, any individual acting on behalf of the government of Iran who is involved in corrupt activities of that government or the diversion of humanitarian goods, or any senior official who was involved in the activities of an entity designated for sanctions in connection with Iran's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or Iran's support for international terrorism. Expands the list of designated senior officials of the government of Iran. Directs the President to block the U.S. or U.S.-controlled property and property transfers of specified senior officials and family members who received such property from a listed official. Directs the President to prohibit the opening, and prohibit or impose strict conditions on the maintaining in the United States, of any correspondent account or any payable-through account by a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducted or facilitated a significant currency transaction (including through another person) with or on behalf of the Central Bank of Iran or another Iranian sanctioned financial institution. Authorizes the President to impose sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act against any other person that knowingly conducts or facilitates such a currency transaction. Excludes from such sanctions any transactions for: (1) the sale of agricultural commodities, food, medicine or medical devices to Iran; or (2) humanitarian assistance to the people of Iran. Authorizes the President to waive such sanctions for 180 days, with additional 180-day waivers, if important to the U.S. national interest, and if notice is provided to Congress. Amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to include the construction, engineering, automotive, and mining sectors of Iran within the scope of sanctions. Designates as entities of proliferation concern, in lieu of certain current entities, any that operate special economic zones, free economic zones, and entities in strategic sectors. Directs the President to block the property of: (1) entities in strategic sectors, and (2) entities that operate special economic zones or free economic zones. Defines "strategic sector" as: (1) the energy, shipping, shipbuilding, and mining sectors of Iran; (2) the construction and engineering sectors of Iran (except for projects to construct or engineer schools or hospitals); and (3) any other sector the President determines to be of strategic importance to Iran. Authorizes the President to suspend the application of sanctions under this Act for 30 days, with additional 30-day waivers, if the President reports to Congress: that the waiver or renewal is in the U.S. national security interest and is necessary to achieving a long-term solution with Iran; that Iran is not making further progress on its nuclear weapons program and is in compliance with all interim agreements; and on the status of the negotiations toward a long-term comprehensive solution. Authorizes the President to make an exception from the imposition of sanctions for reconstruction assistance or economic development for Afghanistan if in the U.S. national interest and if notice is provided to Congress. Expresses the sense of Congress concerning budgetary resources for the enforcement of sanctions against Iran.