Iran Freedom Support Act
PL 109-293 (H.R.6198), enacted 09/30/2006

120 STAT. 1344
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
Public Law 109–293
109th Congress
An Act
To hold the current regime in Iran accountable for its threatening behavior and
to support a transition to democracy in Iran.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Iran Freedom Support Act’’.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I—CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN
Sec. 101. Codification of sanctions.
TITLE II—AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF
1996 AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO INVESTMENT IN IRAN
Sec. 201. Multilateral regime.
Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions.
Sec. 203. Termination of sanctions.
Sec. 204. Sunset.
Sec. 205. Technical and conforming amendments.
TITLE III—PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY FOR IRAN
Sec. 301. Declaration of policy.
Sec. 302. Assistance to support democracy for Iran.
TITLE IV—POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES TO FACILITATE THE NUCLEAR
NONPROLIFERATION OF IRAN
Sec. 401. Sense of Congress.
TITLE V—PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING FOR WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION
Sec. 501. Prevention of money laundering for weapons of mass destruction.
TITLE I—CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS
AGAINST IRAN
SEC. 101. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS.—Except as otherwise provided
in this section, United States sanctions with respect to Iran imposed
pursuant to sections 1 and 3 of Executive Order No. 12957, sections
1(e), (1)(g), and (3) of Executive Order No. 12959, and sections
2, 3, and 5 of Executive Order No. 13059 (relating to exports
50 USC 1701
note.
Iran Freedom
Support Act.
50 USC 1701
note.
Sept. 30, 2006
[H.R. 6198]
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120 STAT. 1345
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
and certain other transactions with Iran) as in effect on January
1, 2006, shall remain in effect. The President may terminate such
sanctions, in whole or in part, if the President notifies Congress
at least 15 days in advance of such termination. In the event
of exigent circumstances, the President may exercise the authority
set forth in the preceding sentence without regard to the notification
requirement stated therein, except that such notification shall be
provided as early as practicable, but in no event later than three
working days after such exercise of authority.
(b) NO EFFECT ON OTHER SANCTIONS RELATING TO SUPPORT
FOR ACTS OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM.—Nothing in this Act shall
affect any United States sanction, control, or regulation as in effect
on January 1, 2006, relating to a determination under section
6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App.
2405(j)(1)(A)), section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
(22 U.S.C. 2371(a)), or section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control
Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)) that the Government of Iran has repeatedly
provided support for acts of international terrorism.
TITLE II—AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN
AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996
AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED
TO INVESTMENT IN IRAN
SEC. 201. MULTILATERAL REGIME.
(a) WAIVER.—Section 4(c) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act
of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(c) WAIVER.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may, on a case by case
basis, waive for a period of not more than six months the
application of section 5(a) with respect to a national of a
country, if the President certifies to the appropriate congres-
sional committees at least 30 days before such waiver is to
take effect that such waiver is vital to the national security
interests of the United States.
‘‘(2) SUBSEQUENT RENEWAL OF WAIVER.—If the President
determines that, in accordance with paragraph (1), such a
waiver is appropriate, the President may, at the conclusion
of the period of a waiver under paragraph (1), renew such
waiver for subsequent periods of not more than six months
each.’’.
(b) INVESTIGATIONS.—Section 4 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701
note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(f) INVESTIGATIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President should initiate an inves-
tigation into the possible imposition of sanctions under section
5(a) against a person upon receipt by the United States of
credible information indicating that such person is engaged
in investment activity in Iran as described in such section.
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION
AND
NOTIFICATION.—Not later than
180 days after an investigation is initiated in accordance with
paragraph (1), the President should determine, pursuant to
section 5(a), if a person has engaged in investment activity
Deadline.
Deadline.
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120 STAT. 1346
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
in Iran as described in such section and shall notify the appro-
priate congressional committees of the basis for any such deter-
mination.’’.
SEC. 202. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO DEVELOPMENT OF PETROLEUM
RESOURCES.—Section 5(a) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act
of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended in the heading, by striking
‘‘TO IRAN’’ and inserting ‘‘TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PETROLEUM
RESOURCES OF IRAN’’.
(b) SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO DEVELOPMENT OF WEAPONS
OF MASS DESTRUCTION OR OTHER MILITARY CAPABILITIES.—Section
5(b) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as
follows:
‘‘(b) MANDATORY SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO DEVELOPMENT
OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION OR OTHER MILITARY CAPABILI-
TIES.—The President shall impose two or more of the sanctions
described in paragraphs (1) through (6) of section 6 if the President
determines that a person has, on or after the date of the enactment
of this Act, exported, transferred, or otherwise provided to Iran
any goods, services, technology, or other items knowing that the
provision of such goods, services, technology, or other items would
contribute materially to the ability of Iran to—
‘‘(1) acquire or develop chemical, biological, or nuclear
weapons or related technologies; or
‘‘(2) acquire or develop destabilizing numbers and types
of advanced conventional weapons.’’.
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section
shall apply with respect to actions taken on or after June 6, 2006.
SEC. 203. TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.
Section 8(a) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50
U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
‘‘(3) poses no significant threat to United States national
security, interests, or allies.’’.
SEC. 204. SUNSET.
Section 13 of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50
U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking ‘‘on September 29, 2006’’
and inserting ‘‘on December 31, 2011’’.
SEC. 205. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) FINDINGS.—Section 2 of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act
of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking paragraph
(4).
(b) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—Section 3 of the Iran and Libya
Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(a) POLICY WITH RESPECT
TO IRAN.—’’; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
(c) TERMINATION OF SANCTIONS.—Section 8 of the Iran and
Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(a) IRAN.—’’; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
50 USC 1701
note.
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120 STAT. 1347
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
(d) DURATION OF SANCTIONS; PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER.—Section
9(c)(2)(C) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C.
1701 note) is amended to read as follows:
‘‘(C) an estimate of the significance of the provision
of the items described in section 5(a) or section 5(b) to
Iran’s ability to, respectively, develop its petroleum
resources or its weapons of mass destruction or other mili-
tary capabilities; and’’.
(e) REPORTS REQUIRED.—Section 10(b)(1) of the Iran and Libya
Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking
‘‘and Libya’’ each place it appears.
(f) DEFINITIONS.—Section 14 of the Iran and Libya Sanctions
Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (9)—
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by—
(i) striking ‘‘, or with the Government of Libya
or a nongovernmental entity in Libya,’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘nongovenmental’’ and inserting
‘‘nongovernmental’’; and
(B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘or Libya (as
the case may be)’’;
(2) by striking paragraph (12); and
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (13), (14), (15), (16), and
(17) as paragraphs (12), (13), (14), (15), and (16), respectively.
(g) SHORT TITLE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1 of the Iran and Libya Sanctions
Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by striking
‘‘and Libya’’.
(2) REFERENCES.—Any reference in any other provision
of law, regulation, document, or other record of the United
States to the ‘‘Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996’’ shall
be deemed to be a reference to the ‘‘Iran Sanctions Act of
1996’’.
TITLE III—PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY
FOR IRAN
SEC. 301. DECLARATION OF POLICY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Congress declares that it should be the policy
of the United States—
(1) to support efforts by the people of Iran to exercise
self-determination over the form of government of their country;
and
(2) to support independent human rights and peaceful pro-
democracy forces in Iran.
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act shall be con-
strued as authorizing the use of force against Iran.
SEC. 302. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY FOR IRAN.
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the President is authorized to provide financial and polit-
ical assistance (including the award of grants) to foreign and
domestic individuals, organizations, and entities working for
the purpose of supporting and promoting democracy for Iran.
Such assistance may include the award of grants to eligible
22 USC 2151
note.
50 USC 1701
note.
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120 STAT. 1348
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
independent pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting
organizations that broadcast into Iran.
(2) LIMITATION ON ASSISTANCE.—In accordance with the
rule of construction described in subsection (b) of section 301,
none of the funds authorized under this section shall be used
to support the use of force against Iran.
(b) ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE.—Financial and political assist-
ance under this section should be provided only to an individual,
organization, or entity that—
(1) officially opposes the use of violence and terrorism and
has not been designated as a foreign terrorist organization
under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1189) at any time during the preceding four years;
(2) advocates the adherence by Iran to nonproliferation
regimes for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and mate-
riel;
(3) is dedicated to democratic values and supports the
adoption of a democratic form of government in Iran;
(4) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including
the fundamental equality of women;
(5) works to establish equality of opportunity for people;
and
(6) supports freedom of the press, freedom of speech,
freedom of association, and freedom of religion.
(c) FUNDING.—The President may provide assistance under this
section using—
(1) funds available to the Middle East Partnership Initia-
tive (MEPI), the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initia-
tive, and the Human Rights and Democracy Fund; and
(2) amounts made available pursuant to the authorization
of appropriations under subsection (g).
(d) NOTIFICATION.—Not later than 15 days before each obliga-
tion of assistance under this section, and in accordance with the
procedures under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394–l), the President shall notify the Committee
on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign
Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(e) SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING DIPLOMATIC ASSISTANCE.—
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) support for a transition to democracy in Iran should
be expressed by United States representatives and officials
in all appropriate international fora;
(2) officials and representatives of the United States
should—
(A) strongly and unequivocally support indigenous
efforts in Iran calling for free, transparent, and democratic
elections; and
(B) draw international attention to violations by the
Government of Iran of human rights, freedom of religion,
freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press.
(f) DURATION.—The authority to provide assistance under this
section shall expire on December 31, 2011.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of State such sums as may
be necessary to carry out this section.
Deadline.
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120 STAT. 1349
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
TITLE 
IV—POLICY 
OF 
THE 
UNITED
STATES 
TO 
FACILITATE 
THE 
NU-
CLEAR NONPROLIFERATION OF IRAN
SEC. 401. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It should be the policy of the United
States not to bring into force an agreement for cooperation with
the government of any country that is assisting the nuclear program
of Iran or transferring advanced conventional weapons or missiles
to Iran unless the President has determined that—
(1) Iran has suspended all enrichment-related and
reprocessing-related activity (including uranium conversion and
research 
and 
development, 
manufacturing, 
testing, 
and
assembly relating to enrichment and reprocessing), has com-
mitted to verifiably refrain permanently from such activity
in the future (except potentially the conversion of uranium
exclusively for export to foreign nuclear fuel production facilities
pursuant to internationally agreed arrangements and subject
to strict international safeguards), and is abiding by that
commitment; or
(2) the government of that country—
(A) has, either on its own initiative or pursuant to
a binding decision of the United Nations Security Council,
suspended all nuclear assistance to Iran and all transfers
of advanced conventional weapons and missiles to Iran,
pending a decision by Iran to implement measures that
would permit the President to make the determination
described in paragraph (1); and
(B) is committed to maintaining that suspension until
Iran has implemented measures that would permit the
President to make such determination.
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) AGREEMENT FOR COOPERATION.—The term ‘‘agreement
for cooperation’’ has the meaning given that term in section
11 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014(b)).
(2) ASSISTING THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM OF IRAN.—The term
‘‘assisting the nuclear program of Iran’’ means the intentional
transfer to Iran by a government, or by a person subject to
the jurisdiction of a government, with the knowledge and
acquiescence of that government, of goods, services, or tech-
nology listed on the Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines for
the Export of Nuclear Material, Equipment and Technology
(published by the International Atomic Energy Agency as
Information Circular INFCIRC/254/Rev. 3/Part 1, and subse-
quent revisions) or Guidelines for Transfers of Nuclear-Related
Dual-Use Equipment, Material and Related Technology (pub-
lished by the International Atomic Energy Agency as Informa-
tion Circular INFCIRC/254/Rev. 3/Part 2 and subsequent revi-
sions).
(3) TRANSFERRING ADVANCED CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS OR
MISSILES TO IRAN.—The term ‘‘transferring advanced conven-
tional weapons or missiles to Iran’’ means the intentional
transfer to Iran by a government, or by a person subject to
the jurisdiction of a government, with the knowledge and
acquiescence of that government, of—
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120 STAT. 1350
PUBLIC LAW 109–293—SEPT. 30, 2006
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6198:
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 152 (2006):
Sept. 28, considered and passed House.
Sept. 29, considered and passed Senate.
(A) advanced conventional weapons; or
(B) goods, services, or technology listed on the Missile
Technology Control Regime Equipment and Technology
Annex of June 11, 1996, and subsequent revisions.
TITLE 
V—PREVENTION 
OF 
MONEY
LAUNDERING FOR WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION
SEC. 501. PREVENTION OF MONEY LAUNDERING FOR WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION.
Section 5318A(c)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is
amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ‘‘or both,’’ and
inserting ‘‘or entities involved in the proliferation of weapons
of mass destruction or missiles’’; and
(2) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting ‘‘, including any
money laundering activity by organized criminal groups, inter-
national terrorists, or entities involved in the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction or missiles’’ before the semicolon
at the end.
Approved September 30, 2006.
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