Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012
PL 112-158 (H.R.1905), enacted 08/10/2012

126 STAT. 1214 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Public Law 112–158 
112th Congress 
An Act 
To strengthen Iran sanctions laws for the purpose of compelling Iran to abandon 
its pursuit of nuclear weapons and other threatening activities, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Iran Threat 
Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—EXPANSION OF MULTILATERAL SANCTIONS REGIME WITH 
RESPECT TO IRAN 
Sec. 101. Sense of Congress on enforcement of multilateral sanctions regime and 
expansion and implementation of sanctions laws. 
Sec. 102. Diplomatic efforts to expand multilateral sanctions regime. 
TITLE II—EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS RELATING TO THE ENERGY SECTOR 
OF IRAN AND PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION BY 
IRAN 
Subtitle A—Expansion of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 
Sec. 201. Expansion of sanctions with respect to the energy sector of Iran. 
Sec. 202. Imposition of sanctions with respect to transportation of crude oil from 
Iran and evasion of sanctions by shipping companies. 
Sec. 203. Expansion of sanctions with respect to development by Iran of weapons 
of mass destruction. 
Sec. 204. Expansion of sanctions available under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. 
Sec. 205. Modification of waiver standard under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. 
Sec. 206. Briefings on implementation of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. 
Sec. 207. Expansion of definitions under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996. 
Sec. 208. Sense of Congress on energy sector of Iran. 
Subtitle B—Additional Measures Relating to Sanctions Against Iran 
Sec. 211. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the provision of vessels or shipping 
services to transport certain goods related to proliferation or terrorism 
activities to Iran. 
Sec. 212. Imposition of sanctions with respect to provision of underwriting services 
or insurance or reinsurance for the National Iranian Oil Company or 
the National Iranian Tanker Company. 
Sec. 213. Imposition of sanctions with respect to purchase, subscription to, or facili-
tation of the issuance of Iranian sovereign debt. 
Sec. 214. Imposition of sanctions with respect to subsidiaries and agents of persons 
sanctioned by United Nations Security Council resolutions. 
Sec. 215. Imposition of sanctions with respect to transactions with persons sanc-
tioned for certain activities relating to terrorism or proliferation of 
weapons of mass destruction. 
22 USC 8701 
note. 
Iran Threat 
Reduction and 
Syria Human 
Rights Act of 
2012. 
Aug. 10, 2012 
[H.R. 1905] 
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126 STAT. 1215 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Sec. 216. Expansion of, and reports on, mandatory sanctions with respect to finan-
cial institutions that engage in certain activities relating to Iran. 
Sec. 217. Continuation in effect of sanctions with respect to the Government of 
Iran, the Central Bank of Iran, and sanctions evaders. 
Sec. 218. Liability of parent companies for violations of sanctions by foreign sub-
sidiaries. 
Sec. 219. Disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to 
sanctionable activities. 
Sec. 220. Reports on, and authorization of imposition of sanctions with respect to, 
the provision of specialized financial messaging services to the Central 
Bank of Iran and other sanctioned Iranian financial institutions. 
Sec. 221. Identification of, and immigration restrictions on, senior officials of the 
Government of Iran and their family members. 
Sec. 222. Sense of Congress and rule of construction relating to certain authorities 
of State and local governments. 
Sec. 223. Government Accountability Office report on foreign entities that invest in 
the energy sector of Iran or export refined petroleum products to Iran. 
Sec. 224. Reporting on the importation to and exportation from Iran of crude oil 
and refined petroleum products. 
TITLE III—SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD 
CORPS 
Subtitle A—Identification of, and Sanctions With Respect to, Officials, Agents, Affili-
ates, and Supporters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and Other Sanctioned 
Persons 
Sec. 301. Identification of, and imposition of sanctions with respect to, officials, 
agents, and affiliates of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. 
Sec. 302. Identification of, and imposition of sanctions with respect to, persons that 
support or conduct certain transactions with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard 
Corps or other sanctioned persons. 
Sec. 303. Identification of, and imposition of measures with respect to, foreign gov-
ernment agencies carrying out activities or transactions with certain 
Iran-affiliated persons. 
Sec. 304. Rule of construction. 
Subtitle B—Additional Measures Relating to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps 
Sec. 311. Expansion of procurement prohibition to foreign persons that engage in 
certain transactions with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. 
Sec. 312. Determinations of whether the National Iranian Oil Company and the 
National Iranian Tanker Company are agents or affiliates of Iran’s Rev-
olutionary Guard Corps. 
TITLE IV—MEASURES RELATING TO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN IRAN 
Subtitle A—Expansion of Sanctions Relating to Human Rights Abuses in Iran 
Sec. 401. Imposition of sanctions on certain persons responsible for or complicit in 
human rights abuses committed against citizens of Iran or their family 
members after the June 12, 2009, elections in Iran. 
Sec. 402. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or tech-
nologies to Iran that are likely to be used to commit human rights 
abuses. 
Sec. 403. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons who engage in censorship 
or other related activities against citizens of Iran. 
Subtitle B—Additional Measures to Promote Human Rights 
Sec. 411. Codification of sanctions with respect to grave human rights abuses by 
the governments of Iran and Syria using information technology. 
Sec. 412. Clarification of sensitive technologies for purposes of procurement ban 
under Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment 
Act of 2010. 
Sec. 413. Expedited consideration of requests for authorization of certain human 
rights-, humanitarian-, and democracy-related activities with respect to 
Iran. 
Sec. 414. Comprehensive strategy to promote Internet freedom and access to infor-
mation in Iran. 
Sec. 415. Statement of policy on political prisoners. 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
Sec. 501. Exclusion of citizens of Iran seeking education relating to the nuclear and 
energy sectors of Iran. 
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126 STAT. 1216 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Sec. 502. Interests in certain financial assets of Iran. 
Sec. 503. Technical correction to section 1245 of the National Defense Authoriza-
tion Act for Fiscal Year 2012. 
Sec. 504. Expansion of sanctions under section 1245 of the National Defense Au-
thorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. 
Sec. 505. Reports on natural gas exports from Iran. 
Sec. 506. Report on membership of Iran in international organizations. 
Sec. 507. Sense of Congress on exportation of goods, services, and technologies for 
aircraft produced in the United States. 
TITLE VI—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 601. Implementation; penalties. 
Sec. 602. Applicability to certain intelligence activities. 
Sec. 603. Applicability to certain natural gas projects. 
Sec. 604. Rule of construction with respect to use of force against Iran and Syria. 
Sec. 605. Termination. 
TITLE VII—SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN 
SYRIA 
Sec. 701. Short title. 
Sec. 702. Imposition of sanctions with respect to certain persons who are respon-
sible for or complicit in human rights abuses committed against citizens 
of Syria or their family members. 
Sec. 703. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or tech-
nologies to Syria that are likely to be used to commit human rights 
abuses. 
Sec. 704. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons who engage in censorship 
or other forms of repression in Syria. 
Sec. 705. Waiver. 
Sec. 706. Termination. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
Except as otherwise specifically provided, in this Act: 
(1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 14 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 
(Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). 
(2) FINANCIAL TRANSACTION.—The term ‘‘financial trans-
action’’ means any transfer of value involving a financial 
institution, including the transfer of forwards, futures, options, 
swaps, or precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, 
and palladium. 
(3) KNOWINGLY.—The term ‘‘knowingly’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 14 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 
1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note). 
(4) UNITED STATES PERSON.—The term ‘‘United States per-
son’’ has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the 
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment 
Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8511). 
TITLE 
I—EXPANSION 
OF 
MULTILAT-
ERAL SANCTIONS REGIME WITH RE-
SPECT TO IRAN 
SEC. 101. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ENFORCEMENT OF MULTILATERAL 
SANCTIONS REGIME AND EXPANSION AND IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF SANCTIONS LAWS. 
It is the sense of Congress that the goal of compelling Iran 
to abandon efforts to acquire a nuclear weapons capability and 
other threatening activities can be effectively achieved through 
a comprehensive policy that includes economic sanctions, diplomacy, 
22 USC 8711. 
22 USC 8701. 
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126 STAT. 1217 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
and military planning, capabilities and options, and that this objec-
tive is consistent with the one stated by President Barack Obama 
in the 2012 State of the Union Address: ‘‘Let there be no doubt: 
America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear 
weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that 
goal’’. Among the economic measures to be taken are— 
(1) prompt enforcement of the current multilateral sanc-
tions regime with respect to Iran; 
(2) full, timely, and vigorous implementation of all sanc-
tions enacted into law, including sanctions imposed or expanded 
by this Act or amendments made by this Act, through— 
(A) intensified monitoring by the President and the 
designees of the President, including the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the Secretary of State, and senior officials in 
the intelligence community (as defined in section 3(4) of 
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)), 
as appropriate; 
(B) more extensive use of extraordinary authorities 
provided for under the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and other sanctions 
laws; 
(C) reallocation of resources to provide the personnel 
necessary, within the Department of the Treasury, the 
Department of State, and the Department of Commerce, 
and, where appropriate, the intelligence community, to 
apply and enforce sanctions; and 
(D) expanded cooperation with international sanctions 
enforcement efforts; 
(3) urgent consideration of the expansion of existing sanc-
tions with respect to such areas as— 
(A) the provision of energy-related services to Iran; 
(B) the provision of insurance and reinsurance services 
to Iran; 
(C) the provision of shipping services to Iran; and 
(D) those Iranian financial institutions not yet des-
ignated for the imposition of sanctions that may be acting 
as intermediaries for Iranian financial institutions that 
are designated for the imposition of sanctions; and 
(4) a focus on countering Iran’s efforts to evade sanctions, 
including— 
(A) the activities of telecommunications, Internet, and 
satellite service providers, in and outside of Iran, to ensure 
that such providers are not participating in or facilitating, 
directly or indirectly, the evasion of the sanctions regime 
with respect to Iran or violations of the human rights 
of the people of Iran; 
(B) the activities of financial institutions or other 
businesses or government agencies, in or outside of Iran, 
not yet designated for the imposition of sanctions; and 
(C) urgent and ongoing evaluation of Iran’s energy, 
national security, financial, and telecommunications sec-
tors, to gauge the effects of, and possible defects in, par-
ticular sanctions, with prompt efforts to correct any gaps 
in the existing sanctions regime with respect to Iran. 
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126 STAT. 1218 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
SEC. 102. DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO EXPAND MULTILATERAL SANC-
TIONS REGIME. 
(a) MULTILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS.—Congress urges the Presi-
dent to intensify diplomatic efforts, both in appropriate inter-
national fora such as the United Nations and bilaterally with allies 
of the United States, for the purpose of— 
(1) expanding the United Nations Security Council sanc-
tions regime to include— 
(A) a prohibition on the issuance of visas to any official 
of the Government of Iran who is involved in— 
(i) human rights violations in or outside of Iran; 
(ii) the development of a nuclear weapons program 
and a ballistic missile capability in Iran; or 
(iii) support by the Government of Iran for terrorist 
organizations, including Hamas and Hezbollah; and 
(B) a requirement that each member country of the 
United Nations— 
(i) prohibit the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping 
Lines from landing at seaports, and cargo flights of 
Iran Air from landing at airports, in that country 
because of the role of those organizations in prolifera-
tion and illegal arms sales; and 
(ii) apply the prohibitions described in clause (i) 
to other Iranian entities designated for the imposition 
of sanctions on or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act; 
(2) expanding the range of sanctions imposed with respect 
to Iran by allies of the United States; 
(3) expanding efforts to limit the development of petroleum 
resources and the importation of refined petroleum products 
by Iran; 
(4) developing additional initiatives to— 
(A) increase the production of crude oil in countries 
other than Iran; and 
(B) assist countries that purchase or otherwise obtain 
crude oil or petroleum products from Iran to eliminate 
their dependence on crude oil and petroleum products from 
Iran; and 
(5) eliminating the revenue generated by the Government 
of Iran from the sale of petrochemical products produced in 
Iran to other countries. 
(b) REPORTS
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, 
the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report on the extent to which diplomatic efforts described 
in subsection (a) have been successful that includes— 
(1) an identification of the countries that have agreed to 
impose sanctions or take other measures to further the policy 
set forth in subsection (a); 
(2) the extent of the implementation and enforcement of 
those sanctions or other measures by those countries; 
(3) the criteria the President uses to determine whether 
a country has significantly reduced its crude oil purchases 
from Iran pursuant to section 1245(d)(4)(D) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as amended 
by section 504, including considerations of reductions both in 
terms of volume and price; 
President. 
22 USC 8712. 
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126 STAT. 1219 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(4) an identification of the countries that have not agreed 
to impose such sanctions or measures, including such countries 
granted exceptions for significant reductions in crude oil pur-
chases pursuant to such section 1245(d)(4)(D); 
(5) recommendations for additional measures that the 
United States could take to further diplomatic efforts described 
in subsection (a); and 
(6) the disposition of any decision with respect to sanctions 
imposed with respect to Iran by the World Trade Organization 
or its predecessor organization. 
TITLE II—EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS 
RELATING TO THE ENERGY SECTOR 
OF IRAN AND PROLIFERATION OF 
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION BY 
IRAN 
Subtitle A—Expansion of the Iran 
Sanctions Act of 1996 
SEC. 201. EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ENERGY 
SECTOR OF IRAN. 
Section 5(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 
104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— 
(1) in the subsection heading, by striking ‘‘WITH RESPECT 
TO’’ and all that follows through ‘‘TO IRAN’’ and inserting 
‘‘RELATING TO THE ENERGY SECTOR OF IRAN’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)(A)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘3 or more’’ and inserting ‘‘5 or more’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010’’ and inserting 
‘‘the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act 
of 2012’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘3 or more’’ and inserting ‘‘5 or 
more’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010’’ and 
inserting ‘‘the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human 
Rights Act of 2012’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the period 
at the end the following: ‘‘or directly associated infrastruc-
ture, including construction of port facilities, railways, and 
roads, the primary use of which is to support the delivery 
of refined petroleum products’’; 
(4) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘3 or more’’ and inserting ‘‘5 or 
more’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010’’ and 
50 USC 1701 
note. 
President. 
Determinations. 
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126 STAT. 1220 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
inserting ‘‘the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human 
Rights Act of 2012’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B)— 
(i) in clause (ii), by striking ‘‘; or’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(ii) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(iv) bartering or contracting by which goods are 
exchanged for goods, including the insurance or 
reinsurance of such exchanges; or 
‘‘(v) purchasing, subscribing to, or facilitating the 
issuance of sovereign debt of the Government of Iran, 
including governmental bonds, issued on or after the 
date of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction 
and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) JOINT VENTURES WITH IRAN RELATING TO DEVELOPING 
PETROLEUM RESOURCES.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B) or subsection (f), the President shall impose 5 or more 
of the sanctions described in section 6(a) with respect to 
a person if the President determines that the person know-
ingly participates, on or after the date of the enactment 
of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights 
Act of 2012, in a joint venture with respect to the develop-
ment of petroleum resources outside of Iran if— 
‘‘(i) the joint venture is established on or after 
January 1, 2002; and 
‘‘(ii)(I) the Government of Iran is a substantial 
partner or investor in the joint venture; or 
‘‘(II) Iran could, through a direct operational role 
in the joint venture or by other means, receive techno-
logical knowledge or equipment not previously avail-
able to Iran that could directly and significantly con-
tribute to the enhancement of Iran’s ability to develop 
petroleum resources in Iran. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY.—Subparagraph (A) shall not apply 
with respect to participation in a joint venture established 
on or after January 1, 2002, and before the date of the 
enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human 
Rights Act of 2012, if the person participating in the joint 
venture terminates that participation not later than the 
date that is 180 days after such date of enactment. 
‘‘(5) SUPPORT
FOR
THE
DEVELOPMENT
OF
PETROLEUM 
RESOURCES AND REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN IRAN.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(f), the President shall impose 5 or more of the sanctions 
described in section 6(a) with respect to a person if the 
President determines that the person knowingly, on or 
after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduc-
tion and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, sells, leases, 
or provides to Iran goods, services, technology, or support 
described in subparagraph (B)— 
‘‘(i) any of which has a fair market value of 
$1,000,000 or more; or 
Deadline. 
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126 STAT. 1221 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(ii) that, during a 12-month period, have an aggre-
gate fair market value of $5,000,000 or more. 
‘‘(B) GOODS, 
SERVICES, 
TECHNOLOGY, 
OR
SUPPORT 
DESCRIBED.—Goods, 
services, 
technology, 
or 
support 
described in this subparagraph are goods, services, tech-
nology, or support that could directly and significantly con-
tribute to the maintenance or enhancement of Iran’s— 
‘‘(i) ability to develop petroleum resources located 
in Iran; or 
‘‘(ii) domestic production of refined petroleum prod-
ucts, including any direct and significant assistance 
with respect to the construction, modernization, or 
repair of petroleum refineries or directly associated 
infrastructure, including construction of port facilities, 
railways, and roads, the primary use of which is to 
support the delivery of refined petroleum products. 
‘‘(6) DEVELOPMENT AND PURCHASE OF PETROCHEMICAL PROD-
UCTS FROM IRAN.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(f), the President shall impose 5 or more of the sanctions 
described in section 6(a) with respect to a person if the 
President determines that the person knowingly, on or 
after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduc-
tion and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, sells, leases, 
or provides to Iran goods, services, technology, or support 
described in subparagraph (B)— 
‘‘(i) any of which has a fair market value of 
$250,000 or more; or 
‘‘(ii) that, during a 12-month period, have an aggre-
gate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more. 
‘‘(B) GOODS, 
SERVICES, 
TECHNOLOGY, 
OR
SUPPORT 
DESCRIBED.—Goods, 
services, 
technology, 
or 
support 
described in this subparagraph are goods, services, tech-
nology, or support that could directly and significantly con-
tribute to the maintenance or expansion of Iran’s domestic 
production of petrochemical products.’’. 
SEC. 202. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO TRANSPOR-
TATION OF CRUDE OIL FROM IRAN AND EVASION OF SANC-
TIONS BY SHIPPING COMPANIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 
1996, as amended by section 201, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) TRANSPORTATION OF CRUDE OIL FROM IRAN.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(f), the President shall impose 5 or more of the sanctions 
described in section 6(a) with respect to a person if the 
President determines that— 
‘‘(i) the person is a controlling beneficial owner 
of, or otherwise owns, operates, or controls, or insures, 
a vessel that, on or after the date that is 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat 
Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, was 
used to transport crude oil from Iran to another 
country; and 
Time period. 
Time period. 
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126 STAT. 1222 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(ii)(I) in the case of a person that is a controlling 
beneficial owner of the vessel, the person had actual 
knowledge the vessel was so used; or 
‘‘(II) in the case of a person that otherwise owns, 
operates, or controls, or insures, the vessel, the person 
knew or should have known the vessel was so used. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY OF SANCTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided in clause 
(ii), subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to the 
transportation of crude oil from Iran only if a deter-
mination of the President under section 1245(d)(4)(B) 
of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(4)(B)) that there is a 
sufficient supply of petroleum and petroleum products 
produced in countries other than Iran to permit pur-
chasers of petroleum and petroleum products from Iran 
to reduce significantly their purchases from Iran is 
in effect at the time of the transportation of the crude 
oil. 
‘‘(ii) 
EXCEPTION
FOR
CERTAIN
COUNTRIES.— 
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to the 
transportation of crude oil from Iran to a country to 
which the exception under paragraph (4)(D) of section 
1245(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)) to the imposition 
of sanctions under paragraph (1) of that section applies 
at the time of the transportation of the crude oil. 
‘‘(8) CONCEALING
IRANIAN
ORIGIN
OF
CRUDE
OIL
AND 
REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection 
(f), the President shall impose 5 or more of the sanctions 
described in section 6(a) with respect to a person if the 
President determines that the person is a controlling bene-
ficial owner, or otherwise owns, operates, or controls, a 
vessel that, on or after the date that is 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction 
and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, is used, with actual 
knowledge in the case of a person that is a controlling 
beneficial owner or knowingly in the case of a person 
that otherwise owns, operates, or controls the vessel, in 
a manner that conceals the Iranian origin of crude oil 
or refined petroleum products transported on the vessel, 
including by— 
‘‘(i) permitting the operator of the vessel to suspend 
the operation of the vessel’s satellite tracking device; 
or 
‘‘(ii) obscuring or concealing the ownership, oper-
ation, or control of the vessel by— 
‘‘(I) the Government of Iran; 
‘‘(II) the National Iranian Tanker Company 
or the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines; 
or 
‘‘(III) any other entity determined by the Presi-
dent to be owned or controlled by the Government 
of Iran or an entity specified in subclause (II). 
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL SANCTION.—Subject to such regula-
tions as the President may prescribe and in addition to 
Time period. 
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126 STAT. 1223 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
the sanctions imposed under subparagraph (A), the Presi-
dent may prohibit a vessel owned, operated, or controlled 
by a person, including a controlling beneficial owner, with 
respect to which the President has imposed sanctions under 
that subparagraph and that was used for the activity for 
which the President imposed those sanctions from landing 
at a port in the United States for a period of not more 
than 2 years after the date on which the President imposed 
those sanctions. 
‘‘(C) VESSELS IDENTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF FOREIGN 
ASSETS
CONTROL.—For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), 
a person shall be deemed to have actual knowledge that 
a vessel is owned, operated, or controlled by the Govern-
ment of Iran or an entity specified in subclause (II) or 
(III) of subparagraph (A)(ii) if the International Maritime 
Organization vessel registration identification for the vessel 
is— 
‘‘(i) included on a list of specially designated 
nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office 
of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the 
Treasury for activities with respect to Iran; and 
‘‘(ii) identified by the Office of Foreign Assets Con-
trol as a vessel in which the Government of Iran or 
any entity specified in subclause (II) or (III) of subpara-
graph (A)(ii) has an interest. 
‘‘(D) DEFINITION OF IRANIAN ORIGIN.—For purposes of 
subparagraph (A), the term ‘Iranian origin’ means— 
‘‘(i) with respect to crude oil, that the crude oil 
was extracted in Iran; and 
‘‘(ii) with respect to a refined petroleum product, 
that the refined petroleum product was produced or 
refined in Iran. 
‘‘(9) EXCEPTION FOR PROVISION OF UNDERWRITING SERVICES 
AND INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE.—The President may not 
impose sanctions under paragraph (7) or (8) with respect to 
a person that provides underwriting services or insurance or 
reinsurance if the President determines that the person has 
exercised due diligence in establishing and enforcing official 
policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that the person 
does not provide underwriting services or insurance or reinsur-
ance for the transportation of crude oil or refined petroleum 
products from Iran in a manner for which sanctions may be 
imposed under either such paragraph.’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall 
prescribe such regulations or guidelines as are necessary to imple-
ment paragraphs (7), (8), and (9) of section 5(a) of the Iran Sanctions 
Act of 1996, as added by this section, including such regulations 
or guidelines as are necessary to implement subparagraph (B) of 
such paragraph (8). 
SEC. 203. EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO DEVELOP-
MENT BY IRAN OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 5(b) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 
1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and 
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
Deadline. 
50 USC 1701 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1224 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(1) EXPORTS, TRANSFERS, AND TRANSSHIPMENTS.—Except 
as provided in subsection (f), the President shall impose 5 
or more of the sanctions described in section 6(a) with respect 
to a person if the President determines that the person— 
‘‘(A) on or after the date of the enactment of the Iran 
Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, 
exported or transferred, or permitted or otherwise facili-
tated the transshipment of, any goods, services, technology, 
or other items to any other person; and 
‘‘(B) knew or should have known that— 
‘‘(i) the export, transfer, or transshipment of the 
goods, services, technology, or other items would likely 
result in another person exporting, transferring, trans-
shipping, or otherwise providing the goods, services, 
technology, or other items to Iran; and 
‘‘(ii) the export, transfer, transshipment, or other 
provision of the goods, services, technology, or other 
items to Iran would contribute materially to the ability 
of Iran to— 
‘‘(I) acquire or develop chemical, biological, or 
nuclear weapons or related technologies; or 
‘‘(II) acquire or develop destabilizing numbers 
and types of advanced conventional weapons. 
‘‘(2) JOINT VENTURES RELATING TO THE MINING, PRODUC-
TION, OR TRANSPORTATION OF URANIUM.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraph 
(B) or subsection (f), the President shall impose 5 or more 
of the sanctions described in section 6(a) with respect to 
a person if the President determines that the person know-
ingly participated, on or after the date of the enactment 
of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights 
Act of 2012, in a joint venture that involves any activity 
relating to the mining, production, or transportation of 
uranium— 
‘‘(i)(I) established on or after February 2, 2012; 
and 
‘‘(II) with— 
‘‘(aa) the Government of Iran; 
‘‘(bb) an entity incorporated in Iran or subject 
to the jurisdiction of the Government of Iran; or 
‘‘(cc) a person acting on behalf of or at the 
direction of, or owned or controlled by, the Govern-
ment of Iran or an entity described in item (bb); 
or 
‘‘(ii)(I) established before February 2, 2012; 
‘‘(II) with the Government of Iran, an entity 
described in item (bb) of clause (i)(II), or a person 
described in item (cc) of that clause; and 
‘‘(III) through which— 
‘‘(aa) uranium is transferred directly to Iran 
or indirectly to Iran through a third country; 
‘‘(bb) the Government of Iran receives signifi-
cant revenue; or 
‘‘(cc) Iran could, through a direct operational 
role or by other means, receive technological 
knowledge or equipment not previously available 
to Iran that could contribute materially to the 
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126 STAT. 1225 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
ability of Iran to develop nuclear weapons or 
related technologies. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY OF SANCTIONS.—Subparagraph (A) 
shall not apply with respect to participation in a joint 
venture established before the date of the enactment of 
the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act 
of 2012 if the person participating in the joint venture 
terminates that participation not later than the date that 
is 180 days after such date of enactment.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The Iran Sanctions Act of 
1996, as amended by this section and sections 201 and 202, is 
further amended— 
(1) in section 5— 
(A) in paragraph (3) of subsection (b), as redesignated 
by subsection (a)(1) of this section— 
(i) by striking ‘‘paragraph (1)’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1) or (2)’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (F)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘that paragraph’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraph (1) or (2), as the case may be’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘the Comprehensive Iran Sanc-
tions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the Iran Threat Reduction and 
Syria Human Rights Act of 2012’’; 
(B) in subsection (c)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘subsections (a) and (b)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (a) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection 
(b)’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘subsection (a) 
or (b)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘subsection (a) or paragraph 
(1) or (2) of subsection (b)’’; and 
(C) in subsection (f)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘subsection (a) or (b)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘sub-
section (a) or paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b)’’; 
and 
(ii) by redesignating paragraphs (6) and (7) as 
paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; and 
(2) in section 9, by striking ‘‘section 5(a) or 5(b)(1)’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘subsection (a) or paragraph 
(1) or (2) of subsection (b) of section 5’’. 
SEC. 204. EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS AVAILABLE UNDER THE IRAN 
SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 
1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (12); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following: 
‘‘(9) BAN ON INVESTMENT IN EQUITY OR DEBT OF SANCTIONED 
PERSON.—The President may, pursuant to such regulations or 
guidelines as the President may prescribe, prohibit any United 
States person from investing in or purchasing significant 
amounts of equity or debt instruments of a sanctioned person. 
‘‘(10) EXCLUSION OF CORPORATE OFFICERS.—The President 
may direct the Secretary of State to deny a visa to, and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security to exclude from the United 
Deadline. 
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126 STAT. 1226 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
States, any alien that the President determines is a corporate 
officer or principal of, or a shareholder with a controlling 
interest in, a sanctioned person. 
‘‘(11) SANCTIONS ON PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.—The 
President may impose on the principal executive officer or 
officers of any sanctioned person, or on persons performing 
similar functions and with similar authorities as such officer 
or officers, any of the sanctions under this subsection.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act 
and apply with respect to activities described in subsections (a) 
and (b) of section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as amended 
by this title, commenced on or after such date of enactment. 
SEC. 205. MODIFICATION OF WAIVER STANDARD UNDER THE IRAN 
SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996. 
Section 9(c) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as amended 
by section 203, is further amended by striking paragraph (1) and 
inserting the following: 
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.— 
‘‘(A) SANCTIONS RELATING TO THE ENERGY SECTOR OF 
IRAN.—The President may waive, on a case-by-case basis 
and for a period of not more than one year, the requirement 
in section 5(a) to impose a sanction or sanctions on a 
person described in section 5(c), and may waive the contin-
ued imposition of a sanction or sanctions under subsection 
(b) of this section, 30 days or more after the President 
determines and so reports to the appropriate congressional 
committees that it is essential to the national security 
interests of the United States to exercise such waiver 
authority. 
‘‘(B) 
SANCTIONS
RELATING
TO
DEVELOPMENT
OF 
WEAPONS
OF
MASS
DESTRUCTION
OR
OTHER
MILITARY 
CAPABILITIES.—The President may waive, on a case-by-case 
basis and for a period of not more than one year, the 
requirement in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 5(b) to impose 
a sanction or sanctions on a person described in section 
5(c), and may waive the continued imposition of a sanction 
or sanctions under subsection (b) of this section, 30 days 
or more after the President determines and so reports 
to the appropriate congressional committees that it is vital 
to the national security interests of the United States to 
exercise such waiver authority. 
‘‘(C) RENEWAL OF WAIVERS.—The President may renew, 
on a case-by-case basis, a waiver with respect to a person 
under subparagraph (A) or (B) for additional one-year 
periods if, not later than 30 days before the waiver expires, 
the President makes the determination and submits to 
the appropriate congressional committees the report 
described in subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable.’’. 
SEC. 206. BRIEFINGS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IRAN SANCTIONS 
ACT OF 1996. 
Section 4 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104– 
172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(f) BRIEFINGS ON IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction and 
Deadlines. 
Reports. 
Applicability. 
50 USC 1701 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1227 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, and every 120 days thereafter, 
the President, acting through the Secretary of State, shall provide 
to the appropriate congressional committees a comprehensive 
briefing on efforts to implement this Act.’’. 
SEC. 207. EXPANSION OF DEFINITIONS UNDER THE IRAN SANCTIONS 
ACT OF 1996. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 14 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 
(Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (17) and (18) as paragraphs 
(20) and (21), respectively; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (15) and (16) as paragraphs 
(17) and (18), respectively; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (14) as para-
graphs (5) through (15), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) CREDIBLE INFORMATION.—The term ‘credible informa-
tion’, with respect to a person— 
‘‘(A) includes— 
‘‘(i) a public announcement by the person that 
the person has engaged in an activity described in 
subsection (a) or (b) of section 5; and 
‘‘(ii) information set forth in a report to stock-
holders of the person indicating that the person has 
engaged in such an activity; and 
‘‘(B) may include, in the discretion of the President— 
‘‘(i) an announcement by the Government of Iran 
that the person has engaged in such an activity; or 
‘‘(ii) information indicating that the person has 
engaged in such an activity that is set forth in— 
‘‘(I) a report of the Government Accountability 
Office, the Energy Information Administration, or 
the Congressional Research Service; or 
‘‘(II) a report or publication of a similarly rep-
utable governmental organization or trade or 
industry organization.’’; 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (15), as redesignated by 
paragraph (3), the following: 
‘‘(16) PETROCHEMICAL PRODUCT.—The term ‘petrochemical 
product’ includes any aromatic, olefin, or synthesis gas, and 
any derivative of such a gas, including ethylene, propylene, 
butadiene, benzene, toluene, xylene, ammonia, methanol, and 
urea.’’; and 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (18), as redesignated by 
paragraph (2), the following: 
‘‘(19) SERVICES.—The term ‘services’ includes software, 
hardware, financial, professional consulting, engineering, and 
specialized energy information services, energy-related tech-
nical assistance, and maintenance and repairs.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by subsection 
(a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act 
and apply with respect to activities described in subsections (a) 
and (b) of section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as amended 
by this title, commenced on or after such date of enactment. 
SEC. 208. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON ENERGY SECTOR OF IRAN. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
Applicability. 
50 USC 1701 
note. 
Definition. 
Definition. 
Definition. 
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126 STAT. 1228 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(1) the energy sector of Iran remains a zone of proliferation 
concern since the Government of Iran continues to divert 
substantial revenues derived from sales of petroleum resources 
to finance its illicit nuclear and missile activities; and 
(2) the President should apply the full range of sanctions 
under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as amended by this 
Act, to address the threat posed by the Government of Iran. 
Subtitle B—Additional Measures Relating 
to Sanctions Against Iran 
SEC. 211. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE PROVI-
SION OF VESSELS OR SHIPPING SERVICES TO TRANSPORT 
CERTAIN GOODS RELATED TO PROLIFERATION OR TER-
RORISM ACTIVITIES TO IRAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (c), if the 
President determines that a person, on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, knowingly sells, leases, or provides a vessel 
or provides insurance or reinsurance or any other shipping service 
for the transportation to or from Iran of goods that could materially 
contribute to the activities of the Government of Iran with respect 
to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or support 
for acts of international terrorism, the President shall, pursuant 
to Executive Order No. 13382 (70 Fed. Reg. 38567; relating to 
blocking of property of weapons of mass destruction proliferators 
and their supporters) or Executive Order No. 13224 (66 Fed. Reg. 
49079; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions 
with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism), 
or otherwise pursuant to the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), block and prohibit all trans-
actions in all property and interests in property of the persons 
specified in subsection (b) if such property and 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. 
(b) PERSONS SPECIFIED.—The persons specified in this sub-
section are— 
(1) the person that sold, leased, or provided a vessel or 
provided insurance or reinsurance or another shipping service 
described in subsection (a); and 
(2) any person that— 
(A) is a successor entity to the person referred to 
in paragraph (1); 
(B) owns or controls the person referred to in para-
graph (1), if the person that owns or controls the person 
referred to in paragraph (1) had actual knowledge or should 
have known that the person referred to in paragraph (1) 
sold, leased, or provided the vessel or provided the insur-
ance or reinsurance or other shipping service; or 
(C) is owned or controlled by, or under common owner-
ship or control with, the person referred to in paragraph 
(1), if the person owned or controlled by, or under common 
ownership or control with (as the case may be), the person 
referred to in paragraph (1) knowingly engaged in the 
sale, lease, or provision of the vessel or the provision of 
the insurance or reinsurance or other shipping service. 
22 USC 8721. 
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126 STAT. 1229 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(c) WAIVER.—The President may waive the requirement to 
impose sanctions with respect to a person under subsection (a) 
on or after the date that is 30 days after the President— 
(1) determines that such a waiver is vital to the national 
security interests of the United States; and 
(2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
a report that contains the reasons for that determination. 
(d) REPORT REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, 
the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Sec-
retary of State, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report identifying operators of vessels and other 
persons that conduct or facilitate significant financial trans-
actions with persons that manage ports in Iran that have 
been designated for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to 
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
1701 et seq.). 
(2) FORM OF REPORT.—A report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain 
a classified annex. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the authority of the President to designate per-
sons for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to Executive Order 
No. 13382 (70 Fed. Reg. 38567; relating to the blocking of property 
of weapons of mass destruction proliferators and their supporters) 
or Executive Order No. 13224 (66 Fed. Reg. 49079; relating to 
blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who 
commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism), or otherwise 
pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
SEC. 212. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PROVISION 
OF 
UNDERWRITING 
SERVICES 
OR 
INSURANCE 
OR 
REINSURANCE FOR THE NATIONAL IRANIAN OIL COMPANY 
OR THE NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COMPANY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), not 
later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the President shall impose 5 or more of the sanctions described 
in section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as amended 
by section 204, with respect to a person if the President determines 
that the person knowingly, on or after such date of enactment, 
provides underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance for the 
National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker Com-
pany, or a successor entity to either such company. 
(b) EXCEPTIONS.— 
(1) UNDERWRITERS AND INSURANCE PROVIDERS EXERCISING 
DUE DILIGENCE.—The President is authorized not to impose 
sanctions under subsection (a) with respect to a person that 
provides underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance if 
the President determines that the person has exercised due 
diligence in establishing and enforcing official policies, proce-
dures, and controls to ensure that the person does not provide 
underwriting services or insurance or reinsurance for the 
National Iranian Oil Company, the National Iranian Tanker 
Company, or a successor entity to either such company. 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8722. 
Time period. 
Reports. 
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126 STAT. 1230 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(2) FOOD; 
MEDICINE; 
HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE.—The 
President may not impose sanctions under subsection (a) for 
the provision of underwriting services or insurance or reinsur-
ance for any activity relating solely to— 
(A) the provision of agricultural commodities, food, 
medicine, or medical devices to Iran; or 
(B) the provision of humanitarian assistance to the 
people of Iran. 
(3) TERMINATION PERIOD.—The President is authorized not 
to impose sanctions under subsection (a) with respect to a 
person if the President receives reliable assurances that the 
person will terminate the provision of underwriting services 
or insurance or reinsurance for the National Iranian Oil Com-
pany, the National Iranian Tanker Company, and any successor 
entity to either such company, not later than the date that 
is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AGRICULTURAL
COMMODITY.—The term ‘‘agricultural 
commodity’’ has the meaning given that term in section 102 
of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 5602). 
(2) MEDICAL DEVICE.—The term ‘‘medical device’’ has the 
meaning given the term ‘‘device’’ in section 201 of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321). 
(3) MEDICINE.—The term ‘‘medicine’’ has the meaning given 
the term ‘‘drug’’ in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, 
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321). 
(d) APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 
1996.—The following provisions of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, 
as amended by this Act, apply with respect to the imposition of 
sanctions under subsection (a) to the same extent that such provi-
sions apply with respect to the imposition of sanctions under section 
5(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996: 
(1) Subsection (c) of section 4. 
(2) Subsections (c), (d), and (f) of section 5. 
(3) Section 8. 
(4) Section 9. 
(5) Section 11. 
(6) Section 12. 
(7) Subsection (b) of section 13. 
(8) Section 14. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION AND IMPLEMENTATION.—Nothing 
in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the 
President to impose sanctions pursuant to the Iran Sanctions Act 
of 1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note), the Comprehen-
sive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 
(22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.), the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), section 1245 of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a), 
or any other provision of this Act. 
SEC. 213. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PURCHASE, 
SUBSCRIPTION TO, OR FACILITATION OF THE ISSUANCE 
OF IRANIAN SOVEREIGN DEBT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall impose 5 or more of 
the sanctions described in section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act 
of 1996, as amended by section 204, with respect to a person 
if the President determines that the person knowingly, on or after 
22 USC 8723. 
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126 STAT. 1231 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
the date of the enactment of this Act, purchases, subscribes to, 
or facilitates the issuance of— 
(1) sovereign debt of the Government of Iran issued on 
or after such date of enactment, including governmental bonds; 
or 
(2) debt of any entity owned or controlled by the Govern-
ment of Iran issued on or after such date of enactment, 
including bonds. 
(b) APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 
1996.—The following provisions of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, 
as amended by this Act, apply with respect to the imposition of 
sanctions under subsection (a) to the same extent that such provi-
sions apply with respect to the imposition of sanctions under section 
5(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996: 
(1) Subsection (c) of section 4. 
(2) Subsections (c), (d), and (f) of section 5. 
(3) Section 8. 
(4) Section 9. 
(5) Section 11. 
(6) Section 12. 
(7) Subsection (b) of section 13. 
(8) Section 14. 
SEC. 214. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO SUBSIDIARIES 
AND AGENTS OF PERSONS SANCTIONED BY UNITED 
NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 104(c)(2)(B) of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(B)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘of a person subject’’ and inserting the 
following: ‘‘of— 
‘‘(i) a person subject’’; 
(2) in clause (i), as designated by paragraph (1), by striking 
the semicolon and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) a person acting on behalf of or at the direction 
of, or owned or controlled by, a person described in 
clause (i);’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
make such revisions to the regulations prescribed under section 
104 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513) as are necessary to carry 
out the amendments made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 215. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO TRANS-
ACTIONS WITH PERSONS SANCTIONED FOR CERTAIN 
ACTIVITIES RELATING TO TERRORISM OR PROLIFERA-
TION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)) is amended in the matter preceding sub-
clause (I) by striking ‘‘financial institution’’ and inserting ‘‘person’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury shall 
make such revisions to the regulations prescribed under section 
104 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8513 
note. 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8513 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1232 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513) as are necessary to carry 
out the amendment made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 216. EXPANSION OF, AND REPORTS ON, MANDATORY SANCTIONS 
WITH 
RESPECT 
TO 
FINANCIAL 
INSTITUTIONS 
THAT 
ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES RELATING TO IRAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 104 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 104A. EXPANSION OF, AND REPORTS ON, MANDATORY SANC-
TIONS WITH RESPECT TO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT 
ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ACTIVITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human 
Rights Act of 2012, the Secretary of the Treasury shall revise 
the regulations prescribed under section 104(c)(1) to apply to a 
foreign financial institution described in subsection (b) to the same 
extent and in the same manner as those regulations apply to 
a foreign financial institution that the Secretary of the Treasury 
finds knowingly engages in an activity described in section 104(c)(2). 
‘‘(b) FOREIGN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS DESCRIBED.—A foreign 
financial institution described in this subsection is a foreign finan-
cial institution, including an Iranian financial institution, that the 
Secretary of the Treasury finds— 
‘‘(1) knowingly facilitates, or participates or assists in, an 
activity described in section 104(c)(2), including by acting on 
behalf of, at the direction of, or as an intermediary for, or 
otherwise assisting, another person with respect to the activity; 
‘‘(2) attempts or conspires to facilitate or participate in 
such an activity; or 
‘‘(3) is owned or controlled by a foreign financial institution 
that the Secretary finds knowingly engages in such an activity. 
‘‘(c) REPORTS REQUIRED.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria 
Human Rights Act of 2012, and every 180 days thereafter, 
the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report that contains a detailed 
description of— 
‘‘(A) the effect of the regulations prescribed under sec-
tion 104(c)(1) on the financial system and economy of Iran 
and capital flows to and from Iran; and 
‘‘(B) the ways in which funds move into and out of 
financial institutions described in section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii), 
with specific attention to the use of other Iranian financial 
institutions and other foreign financial institutions to 
receive and transfer funds for financial institutions 
described in that section. 
‘‘(2) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report submitted under para-
graph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may 
contain a classified annex. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—The term ‘financial institu-
tion’ means a financial institution specified in subparagraph 
(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), (H), (I), (J), (K), (M), (N), (R), 
or (Y) of section 5312(a)(2) of title 31, United States Code. 
Regulations. 
Applicability. 
22 USC 8513b. 
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126 STAT. 1233 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(2) FOREIGN FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—The term ‘foreign 
financial institution’ has the meaning of that term as deter-
mined by the Secretary of the Treasury pursuant to section 
104(i). 
‘‘(3) IRANIAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.—The term ‘Iranian 
financial institution’ means— 
‘‘(A) a financial institution organized under the laws 
of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran, including a foreign 
branch of such an institution; 
‘‘(B) a financial institution located in Iran; 
‘‘(C) a financial institution, wherever located, owned 
or controlled by the Government of Iran; and 
‘‘(D) a financial institution, wherever located, owned 
or controlled by a financial institution described in subpara-
graph (A), (B), or (C).’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the Com-
prehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 
2010 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
104 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 104A. Expansion of, and reports on, mandatory sanctions with respect to fi-
nancial institutions that engage in certain activities.’’. 
SEC. 217. CONTINUATION IN EFFECT OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT 
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN, THE CENTRAL BANK OF 
IRAN, AND SANCTIONS EVADERS. 
(a) SANCTIONS RELATING TO BLOCKING OF PROPERTY OF THE 
GOVERNMENT
OF IRAN
AND IRANIAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.— 
United States sanctions with respect to Iran provided for in Execu-
tive Order No. 13599 (77 Fed. Reg. 6659), as in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain 
in effect until the date that is 90 days after the date on which 
the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
the certification described in subsection (d). 
(b) SANCTIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SANCTIONS EVADERS.— 
United States sanctions with respect to Iran provided for in Execu-
tive Order No. 13608 (77 Fed. Reg. 26409), as in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain 
in effect until the date that is 30 days after the date on which 
the President submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
the certification described in section 401(a) of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8551(a)). 
(c) CONTINUATION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE CEN-
TRAL BANK OF IRAN.—In addition to the sanctions referred to in 
subsection (a), the President shall continue to apply to the Central 
Bank of Iran sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency 
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), including blocking 
of property and restrictions or prohibitions on financial transactions 
and the exportation of property, until the date that is 90 days 
after the date on which the President submits to Congress the 
certification described in subsection (d). 
(d) CERTIFICATION DESCRIBED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The certification described in this sub-
section is the certification of the President to Congress that 
the Central Bank of Iran is not— 
(A) providing financial services in support of, or other-
wise facilitating, the ability of Iran to— 
Deadline. 
Certification. 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8724. 
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126 STAT. 1234 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(i) acquire or develop chemical, biological, or 
nuclear weapons, or related technologies; 
(ii) construct, equip, operate, or maintain nuclear 
facilities that could aid Iran’s effort to acquire a nuclear 
capability; or 
(iii) acquire or develop ballistic missiles, cruise 
missiles, or destabilizing types and amounts of conven-
tional weapons; or 
(B) facilitating transactions or providing financial serv-
ices for— 
(i) Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps; or 
(ii) financial institutions the property or interests 
in property of which are blocked pursuant to the Inter-
national Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 
1701 et seq.) in connection with— 
(I) Iran’s proliferation of weapons of mass 
destruction or delivery systems for weapons of 
mass destruction; or 
(II) Iran’s support for international terrorism. 
(2) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The President shall submit the cer-
tification described in paragraph (1) to the appropriate 
congressional committees in writing and shall include a 
justification for the certification. 
(B) 
FORM
OF
CERTIFICATION.—The 
certification 
described in paragraph (1) shall be submitted in unclassi-
fied form but may contain a classified annex. 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 
et seq.) or the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.). 
SEC. 218. LIABILITY OF PARENT COMPANIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF 
SANCTIONS BY FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, 
association, trust, joint venture, corporation, or other organiza-
tion. 
(2) OWN OR CONTROL.—The term ‘‘own or control’’ means, 
with respect to an entity— 
(A) to hold more than 50 percent of the equity interest 
by vote or value in the entity; 
(B) to hold a majority of seats on the board of directors 
of the entity; or 
(C) to otherwise control the actions, policies, or per-
sonnel decisions of the entity. 
(b) PROHIBITION.—Not later than 60 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the President shall prohibit an entity 
owned or controlled by a United States person and established 
or maintained outside the United States from knowingly engaging 
in any transaction directly or indirectly with the Government of 
Iran or any person subject to the jurisdiction of the Government 
of Iran that would be prohibited by an order or regulation issued 
pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) if the transaction were engaged in by 
a United States person or in the United States. 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8725. 
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126 STAT. 1235 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(c) CIVIL PENALTY.—The civil penalties provided for in section 
206(b) of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1705(b)) shall apply to a United States person to the same 
extent that such penalties apply to a person that commits an 
unlawful act described in section 206(a) of that Act if an entity 
owned or controlled by the United States person and established 
or maintained outside the United States violates, attempts to vio-
late, conspires to violate, or causes a violation of any order or 
regulation issued to implement subsection (b). 
(d) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (c) shall not apply with respect 
to a transaction described in subsection (b) by an entity owned 
or controlled by a United States person and established or main-
tained outside the United States if the United States person divests 
or terminates its business with the entity not later than the date 
that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 219. DISCLOSURES TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMIS-
SION RELATING TO SANCTIONABLE ACTIVITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(r) DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES RELATING TO IRAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Each issuer required to file an annual 
or quarterly report under subsection (a) shall disclose in that 
report the information required by paragraph (2) if, during 
the period covered by the report, the issuer or any affiliate 
of the issuer— 
‘‘(A) knowingly engaged in an activity described in 
subsection (a) or (b) of section 5 of the Iran Sanctions 
Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note); 
‘‘(B) knowingly engaged in an activity described in 
subsection (c)(2) of section 104 of the Comprehensive Iran 
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8513) or a transaction described in subsection (d)(1) 
of that section; 
‘‘(C) knowingly engaged in an activity described in 
section 105A(b)(2) of that Act; or 
‘‘(D) knowingly conducted any transaction or dealing 
with— 
‘‘(i) any person the property and interests in prop-
erty of which are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 
No. 13224 (66 Fed. Reg. 49079; relating to blocking 
property and prohibiting transactions with persons who 
commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); 
‘‘(ii) any person the property and interests in prop-
erty of which are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 
No. 13382 (70 Fed. Reg. 38567; relating to blocking 
of property of weapons of mass destruction proliferators 
and their supporters); or 
‘‘(iii) any person or entity identified under section 
560.304 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations 
(relating to the definition of the Government of Iran) 
without the specific authorization of a Federal depart-
ment or agency. 
‘‘(2) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—If an issuer or an affiliate 
of the issuer has engaged in any activity described in paragraph 
Applicability. 
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126 STAT. 1236 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(1), the issuer shall disclose a detailed description of each 
such activity, including— 
‘‘(A) the nature and extent of the activity; 
‘‘(B) the gross revenues and net profits, if any, attrib-
utable to the activity; and 
‘‘(C) whether the issuer or the affiliate of the issuer 
(as the case may be) intends to continue the activity. 
‘‘(3) NOTICE OF DISCLOSURES.—If an issuer reports under 
paragraph (1) that the issuer or an affiliate of the issuer has 
knowingly engaged in any activity described in that paragraph, 
the issuer shall separately file with the Commission, concur-
rently with the annual or quarterly report under subsection 
(a), a notice that the disclosure of that activity has been 
included in that annual or quarterly report that identifies the 
issuer and contains the information required by paragraph 
(2). 
‘‘(4) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.—Upon receiving 
a notice under paragraph (3) that an annual or quarterly report 
includes a disclosure of an activity described in paragraph 
(1), the Commission shall promptly— 
‘‘(A) transmit the report to— 
‘‘(i) the President; 
‘‘(ii) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the 
Committee on Financial Services of the House of Rep-
resentatives; and 
‘‘(iii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 
of the Senate; and 
‘‘(B) make the information provided in the disclosure 
and the notice available to the public by posting the 
information on the Internet website of the Commission. 
‘‘(5) INVESTIGATIONS.—Upon receiving a report under para-
graph (4) that includes a disclosure of an activity described 
in paragraph (1) (other than an activity described in subpara-
graph (D)(iii) of that paragraph), the President shall— 
‘‘(A) initiate an investigation into the possible imposi-
tion of sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 
(Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note), section 104 
or 105A of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010, an Executive order 
specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(D), or any 
other provision of law relating to the imposition of sanctions 
with respect to Iran, as applicable; and 
‘‘(B) not later than 180 days after initiating such an 
investigation, make a determination with respect to 
whether sanctions should be imposed with respect to the 
issuer or the affiliate of the issuer (as the case may be). 
‘‘(6) SUNSET.—The provisions of this subsection shall termi-
nate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which 
the President makes the certification described in section 401(a) 
of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(a)).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) 
shall take effect with respect to reports required to be filed with 
the Securities and Exchange Commission after the date that is 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
15 USC 78m 
note. 
Deadline. 
Web posting. 
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126 STAT. 1237 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
SEC. 220. REPORTS ON, AND AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANC-
TIONS WITH RESPECT TO, THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL-
IZED FINANCIAL MESSAGING SERVICES TO THE CENTRAL 
BANK OF IRAN AND OTHER SANCTIONED IRANIAN FINAN-
CIAL INSTITUTIONS. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) providers of specialized financial messaging services 
are a critical link to the international financial system; 
(2) the European Union is to be commended for strength-
ening the multilateral sanctions regime against Iran by 
deciding that specialized financial messaging services may not 
be provided to the Central Bank of Iran and other sanctioned 
Iranian financial institutions by persons subject to the jurisdic-
tion of the European Union; and 
(3) the loss of access by sanctioned Iranian financial institu-
tions to specialized financial messaging services must be main-
tained. 
(b) REPORTS REQUIRED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, 
the Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report that contains— 
(A) a list of all persons that the Secretary has identified 
that directly provide specialized financial messaging serv-
ices to, or enable or facilitate direct or indirect access 
to such messaging services for, the Central Bank of Iran 
or a financial institution described in section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii) 
of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)); and 
(B) a detailed assessment of the status of efforts by 
the Secretary to end the direct provision of such messaging 
services to, and the enabling or facilitation of direct or 
indirect access to such messaging services for, the Central 
Bank of Iran or a financial institution described in that 
section. 
(2) ENABLING OR FACILITATION OF ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED 
FINANCIAL MESSAGING SERVICES THROUGH INTERMEDIARY FINAN-
CIAL INSTITUTIONS.—For purposes of paragraph (1) and sub-
section (c), enabling or facilitating direct or indirect access 
to specialized financial messaging services for the Central Bank 
of Iran or a financial institution described in section 
104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)) 
includes doing so by serving as an intermediary financial 
institution with access to such messaging services. 
(3) FORM OF REPORT.—A report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain 
a classified annex. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), if, 
on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, a person continues to knowingly and 
directly provide specialized financial messaging services to, or 
knowingly enable or facilitate direct or indirect access to such 
messaging services for, the Central Bank of Iran or a financial 
institution described in paragraph (2)(E)(ii) of section 104(c) 
of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
22 USC 8726. 
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126 STAT. 1238 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)), the President may 
impose sanctions pursuant to that section or the International 
Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) with 
respect to the person. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—The President may not impose sanctions 
pursuant to paragraph (1) with respect to a person for directly 
providing specialized financial messaging services to, or 
enabling or facilitating direct or indirect access to such mes-
saging services for, the Central Bank of Iran or a financial 
institution described in section 104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Com-
prehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act 
of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)) if— 
(A) the person is subject to a sanctions regime under 
its governing foreign law that requires it to eliminate the 
knowing provision of such messaging services to, and the 
knowing enabling and facilitation of direct or indirect 
access to such messaging services for— 
(i) the Central Bank of Iran; and 
(ii) a group of Iranian financial institutions identi-
fied under such governing foreign law for purposes 
of that sanctions regime if the President determines 
that— 
(I) the group is substantially similar to the 
group of financial institutions described in section 
104(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanc-
tions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 
(22 U.S.C. 8513(c)(2)(E)(ii)); and 
(II) the differences between those groups of 
financial institutions do not adversely affect the 
national interest of the United States; and 
(B) the person has, pursuant to that sanctions regime, 
terminated the knowing provision of such messaging serv-
ices to, and the knowing enabling and facilitation of direct 
or indirect access to such messaging services for, the Cen-
tral Bank of Iran and each Iranian financial institution 
identified under such governing foreign law for purposes 
of that sanctions regime. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to limit the authority of the President pursuant to the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 
et seq.) or the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.). 
SEC. 221. IDENTIFICATION OF, AND IMMIGRATION RESTRICTIONS ON, 
SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN AND 
THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the President 
shall publish a list of each individual the President determines 
is— 
(1) a senior official of the Government of Iran described 
in subsection (b) that is involved in Iran’s— 
(A) illicit nuclear activities or proliferation of weapons 
of mass destruction or delivery systems for weapons of 
mass destruction; 
(B) support for international terrorism; or 
Deadline. 
Publication. 
Lists. 
22 USC 8727. 
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126 STAT. 1239 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(C) commission of serious human rights abuses against 
citizens of Iran or their family members; or 
(2) a family member of such an official. 
(b) 
SENIOR
OFFICIALS
OF
THE
GOVERNMENT
OF
IRAN 
DESCRIBED.—A senior official of the Government of Iran described 
in this subsection is any senior official of that Government, 
including— 
(1) the Supreme Leader of Iran; 
(2) the President of Iran; 
(3) a member of the Cabinet of the Government of Iran; 
(4) a member of the Assembly of Experts; 
(5) a senior member of the Intelligence Ministry of Iran; 
or 
(6) a senior member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, 
including a senior member of a paramilitary organization such 
as Ansar-e-Hezbollah or Basij-e Motaz’afin. 
(c) EXCLUSION FROM UNITED STATES.—Except as provided in 
subsection (d), the Secretary of State shall deny a visa to, and 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall exclude from the United 
States, any alien who is on the list required by subsection (a). 
(d) EXCEPTION TO COMPLY WITH UNITED NATIONS HEAD-
QUARTERS AGREEMENT.—Subsection (c) shall not apply to an indi-
vidual if admitting the individual to the United States is necessary 
to permit the United States to comply with the Agreement between 
the United Nations and the United States of America regarding 
the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed June 26, 1947, 
and entered into force November 21, 1947, and other applicable 
international obligations. 
(e) WAIVER.—The President may waive the application of sub-
section (a) or (c) with respect to an individual if the President— 
(1) determines that such a waiver is essential to the 
national interests of the United States; and 
(2) not less than 7 days before the waiver takes effect, 
notifies Congress of the waiver and the reason for the waiver. 
SEC. 222. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND RULE OF CONSTRUCTION 
RELATING TO CERTAIN AUTHORITIES OF STATE AND 
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the United States should support actions by States or local govern-
ments that are within their authority, including determining how 
investment assets are valued for purposes of safety and soundness 
of financial institutions and insurers, that are consistent with and 
in furtherance of the purposes of this Act and other Acts that 
are amended by this Act. 
(b) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Section 202 of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8532) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(j) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this Act or any other 
provision of law authorizing sanctions with respect to Iran shall 
be construed to abridge the authority of a State to issue and 
enforce rules governing the safety, soundness, and solvency of a 
financial institution subject to its jurisdiction or the business of 
insurance pursuant to the Act of March 9, 1945 (15 U.S.C. 1011 
et seq.) (commonly known as the ‘McCarran-Ferguson Act’).’’. 
Deadline. 
Notification. 
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126 STAT. 1240 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
SEC. 223. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON FOR-
EIGN ENTITIES THAT INVEST IN THE ENERGY SECTOR OF 
IRAN OR EXPORT REFINED PETROLEUM PRODUCTS TO 
IRAN. 
(a) INITIAL REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report— 
(A) listing all foreign investors in the energy sector 
of Iran during the period specified in paragraph (2), 
including— 
(i) entities that exported gasoline and other refined 
petroleum products to Iran; 
(ii) entities involved in providing refined petroleum 
products to Iran, including— 
(I) entities that provided ships to transport 
refined petroleum products to Iran; and 
(II) entities that provided insurance or reinsur-
ance for shipments of refined petroleum products 
to Iran; and 
(iii) entities involved in commercial transactions 
of any kind, including joint ventures anywhere in the 
world, with Iranian energy companies; and 
(B) identifying the countries in which gasoline and 
other refined petroleum products exported to Iran during 
the period specified in paragraph (2) were produced or 
refined. 
(2) PERIOD SPECIFIED.—The period specified in this para-
graph is the period beginning on January 1, 2009, and ending 
on the date that is 150 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(b) UPDATED REPORT.—Not later than one year after submitting 
the report required by subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report containing the matters required in the report 
under subsection (a)(1) for the one-year period beginning on the 
date that is 30 days before the date on which the preceding report 
was required to be submitted by this section. 
SEC. 224. REPORTING ON THE IMPORTATION TO AND EXPORTATION 
FROM IRAN OF CRUDE OIL AND REFINED PETROLEUM 
PRODUCTS. 
Section 110(b) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8518(b)) is amended 
by striking ‘‘a report containing the matters’’ and all that follows 
through the period at the end and inserting the following: ‘‘a report, 
covering the 180-day period beginning on the date that is 30 days 
before the date on which the preceding report was required to 
be submitted by this section, that— 
‘‘(1) contains the matters required in the report under 
subsection (a)(1); and 
‘‘(2) identifies— 
‘‘(A) the volume of crude oil and refined petroleum 
products imported to and exported from Iran (including 
through swaps and similar arrangements); 
Time period. 
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126 STAT. 1241 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(B) the persons selling and transporting crude oil 
and refined petroleum products described in subparagraph 
(A), the countries with primary jurisdiction over those per-
sons, and the countries in which those products were 
refined; 
‘‘(C) the sources of financing for imports to Iran of 
crude oil and refined petroleum products described in 
subparagraph (A); and 
‘‘(D) the involvement of foreign persons in efforts to 
assist Iran in— 
‘‘(i) developing upstream oil and gas production 
capacity; 
‘‘(ii) importing advanced technology to upgrade 
existing Iranian refineries; 
‘‘(iii) converting existing chemical plants to petro-
leum refineries; or 
‘‘(iv) maintaining, upgrading, or expanding existing 
refineries or constructing new refineries.’’. 
TITLE III—SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT 
TO IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD 
CORPS 
Subtitle A—Identification of, and Sanc-
tions With Respect to, Officials, Agents, 
Affiliates, and Supporters of Iran’s Revo-
lutionary Guard Corps and Other Sanc-
tioned Persons 
SEC. 301. IDENTIFICATION OF, AND IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH 
RESPECT TO, OFFICIALS, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES OF 
IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, and as appropriate thereafter, the Presi-
dent shall— 
(1) identify foreign persons that are officials, agents, or 
affiliates of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps; and 
(2) for each foreign person identified under paragraph (1) 
that is not already designated for the imposition of sanctions 
pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act 
(50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)— 
(A) designate that foreign person for the imposition 
of sanctions pursuant to that Act; and 
(B) block and prohibit all transactions in all property 
and interests in property of that foreign person if such 
property and 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. 
(b) PRIORITY FOR INVESTIGATION.—In identifying foreign per-
sons pursuant to subsection (a)(1) as officials, agents, or affiliates 
of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the President shall give pri-
ority to investigating— 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8741. 
President. 
Determinations. 
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126 STAT. 1242 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(1) foreign persons or entities identified under section 
560.304 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to 
the definition of the Government of Iran); and 
(2) foreign persons for which there is a reasonable basis 
to find that the person has conducted or attempted to conduct 
one or more sensitive transactions or activities described in 
subsection (c). 
(c) SENSITIVE TRANSACTIONS
AND ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED.—A 
sensitive transaction or activity described in this subsection is— 
(1) a financial transaction or series of transactions valued 
at more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any 12-month 
period involving a non-Iranian financial institution; 
(2) a transaction to facilitate the manufacture, importation, 
exportation, or transfer of items needed for the development 
by Iran of nuclear, chemical, biological, or advanced conven-
tional weapons, including ballistic missiles; 
(3) a transaction relating to the manufacture, procurement, 
or sale of goods, services, and technology relating to Iran’s 
energy sector, including a transaction relating to the develop-
ment of the energy resources of Iran, the exportation of petro-
leum products from Iran, the importation of refined petroleum 
to Iran, or the development of refining capacity available to 
Iran; 
(4) a transaction relating to the manufacture, procurement, 
or sale of goods, services, and technology relating to Iran’s 
petrochemical sector; or 
(5) a transaction relating to the procurement of sensitive 
technologies (as defined in section 106(c) of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 
(22 U.S.C. 8515(c))). 
(d) EXCLUSION FROM UNITED STATES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
of State shall deny a visa to, and the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall exclude from the United States, any alien who, 
on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, is a foreign 
person designated pursuant to subsection (a) for the imposition 
of sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
(2) REGULATORY
EXCEPTIONS
TO
COMPLY
WITH
INTER-
NATIONAL OBLIGATIONS.—The requirement to deny visas to and 
exclude aliens from the United States pursuant to paragraph 
(1) shall be subject to such regulations as the President may 
prescribe, including regulatory exceptions to permit the United 
States to comply with the Agreement between the United 
Nations and the United States of America regarding the Head-
quarters of the United Nations, signed June 26, 1947, and 
entered into force November 21, 1947, and other applicable 
international obligations. 
(e) WAIVER OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may waive the application 
of subsection (a) or (d) with respect to a foreign person if 
the President— 
(A) determines that it is vital to the national security 
interests of the United States to do so; and 
(B) submits to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report that— 
Reports. 
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126 STAT. 1243 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(i) identifies the foreign person with respect to 
which the waiver applies; and 
(ii) sets forth the reasons for the determination. 
(2) FORM OF REPORT.—A report submitted under paragraph 
(1)(B) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain 
a classified annex. 
(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to remove any sanction of the United States in force 
with respect to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as of the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 302. IDENTIFICATION OF, AND IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH 
RESPECT TO, PERSONS THAT SUPPORT OR CONDUCT CER-
TAIN 
TRANSACTIONS 
WITH 
IRAN’S 
REVOLUTIONARY 
GUARD CORPS OR OTHER SANCTIONED PERSONS. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, 
the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report identifying foreign persons that the Presi-
dent determines, on or after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, knowingly— 
(A) materially assist, sponsor, or provide financial, 
material, or technological support for, or goods or services 
in support of, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any 
of its officials, agents, or affiliates the property and 
interests in property of which are blocked pursuant to 
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); 
(B) engage in a significant transaction or transactions 
with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps or any of its offi-
cials, agents, or affiliates— 
(i) the property and interests in property of which 
are blocked pursuant to that Act; or 
(ii) that are identified under section 301(a)(1) or 
pursuant to paragraph (4)(A) of section 104(c) of the 
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010, as added by section 312; or 
(C) engage in a significant transaction or transactions 
with— 
(i) a person subject to financial sanctions pursuant 
to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1737 
(2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), or 1929 (2010), or 
any other resolution that is adopted by the Security 
Council and imposes sanctions with respect to Iran 
or modifies such sanctions; or 
(ii) a person acting on behalf of or at the direction 
of, or owned or controlled by, a person described in 
clause (i). 
(2) FORM OF REPORT.—A report submitted under paragraph 
(1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain 
a classified annex. 
(3) BARTER TRANSACTIONS.—For purposes of paragraph (1), 
the term ‘‘transaction’’ includes a barter transaction. 
(b) IMPOSITION
OF SANCTIONS.—If the President determines 
under subsection (a)(1) that a foreign person has knowingly engaged 
in an activity described in that subsection, the President— 
Deadlines. 
22 USC 8742. 
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126 STAT. 1244 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(1) shall impose 5 or more of the sanctions described in 
section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as amended 
by section 204; and 
(2) may impose additional sanctions pursuant to the Inter-
national Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et 
seq.) with respect to the person. 
(c) TERMINATION.—The President may terminate a sanction 
imposed with respect to a foreign person pursuant to subsection 
(b) if the President determines that the person— 
(1) no longer engages in the activity for which the sanction 
was imposed; and 
(2) has provided assurances to the President that the per-
son will not engage in any activity described in subsection 
(a)(1) in the future. 
(d) WAIVER OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may waive the imposition 
of sanctions under subsection (b) with respect to a foreign 
person if the President— 
(A)(i) determines that the person has ceased the 
activity for which sanctions would otherwise be imposed 
and has taken measures to prevent a recurrence of the 
activity; or 
(ii) determines that it is essential to the national secu-
rity interests of the United States to do so; and 
(B) submits to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report that— 
(i) identifies the foreign person with respect to 
which the waiver applies; 
(ii) describes the activity that would otherwise sub-
ject the foreign person to the imposition of sanctions 
under subsection (b); and 
(iii) sets forth the reasons for the determination. 
(2) FORM OF REPORT.—A report submitted under paragraph 
(1)(B) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain 
a classified annex. 
(e) WAIVER OF IDENTIFICATIONS AND DESIGNATIONS.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of this subtitle and subject to para-
graph (2), the President shall not be required to make any identifica-
tion of a foreign person under subsection (a) or any identification 
or designation of a foreign person under section 301(a) if the Presi-
dent— 
(1) determines that doing so would cause damage to the 
national security of the United States; and 
(2) notifies the appropriate congressional committees of 
the exercise of the authority provided under this subsection. 
(f) APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS OF IRAN SANCTIONS ACT OF 
1996.—The following provisions of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, 
as amended by this Act, apply with respect to the imposition under 
subsection (b)(1) of sanctions relating to activities described in 
subsection (a)(1) to the same extent that such provisions apply 
with respect to the imposition of sanctions under section 5(a) of 
the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996: 
(1) Subsections (c) and (e) of section 4. 
(2) Subsections (c), (d), and (f) of section 5. 
(3) Section 8. 
(4) Section 9. 
(5) Section 11. 
Notification. 
Reports. 
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126 STAT. 1245 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(6) Section 12. 
(7) Subsection (b) of section 13. 
(8) Section 14. 
SEC. 303. IDENTIFICATION OF, AND IMPOSITION OF MEASURES WITH 
RESPECT TO, FOREIGN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES CAR-
RYING OUT ACTIVITIES OR TRANSACTIONS WITH CERTAIN 
IRAN-AFFILIATED PERSONS. 
(a) IDENTIFICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, 
the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report that identifies each agency of the govern-
ment of a foreign country (other than Iran) that the President 
determines knowingly and materially assisted, sponsored, or 
provided financial, material, or technological support for, or 
goods or services in support of, or knowingly and materially 
engaged in a significant transaction with, any person described 
in paragraph (2). 
(2) PERSON DESCRIBED.—A person described in this para-
graph is— 
(A) a foreign person that is an official, agent, or affiliate 
of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps that is designated 
for the imposition of sanctions pursuant to the Inter-
national Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 
et seq.); 
(B) a foreign person that is designated and subject 
to financial sanctions pursuant to— 
(i) the Annex of United Nations Security Council 
Resolution 1737 (2006); 
(ii) Annex I of United Nations Security Council 
Resolution 1747 (2007); 
(iii) Annex I, II, or III of United Nations Security 
Council Resolution 1803 (2008); 
(iv) Annex I, II, or III of United Nations Security 
Council Resolution 1929 (2010); or 
(v) any subsequent and related United Nations 
Security Council resolution, or any annex thereto, that 
imposes new sanctions with respect to Iran or modifies 
existing sanctions with respect to Iran; or 
(C) a foreign person that the agency knows is acting 
on behalf of or at the direction of, or owned or controlled 
by, a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B). 
(3) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report submitted under para-
graph (1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may 
contain a classified annex. 
(b) IMPOSITION OF MEASURES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may impose any of the 
following measures with respect to an agency identified pursu-
ant to subsection (a) if the President determines that the assist-
ance, exports, or other support to be prohibited by reason 
of the imposition of the measures have contributed and would 
otherwise directly or indirectly contribute to the agency’s capa-
bility to continue the activities or transactions for which the 
agency has been identified pursuant to subsection (a): 
(A) No assistance may be provided to the agency under 
the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et 
Deadlines. 
Reports. 
22 USC 8743. 
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126 STAT. 1246 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
seq.) or the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 
et seq.) other than humanitarian assistance or the provision 
of food or other agricultural commodities. 
(B) No sales of any defense articles, defense services, 
or design and construction services under the Arms Export 
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) may be made to the 
agency. 
(C) No licenses for export of any item on the United 
States Munitions List that include the agency as a party 
to the license may be granted. 
(D) No exports may be permitted to the agency of 
any goods or technologies controlled for national security 
reasons under the Export Administration Regulations, 
except that such prohibition shall not apply to any trans-
action subject to the reporting requirements of title V of 
the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; 
relating to congressional oversight of intelligence activities). 
(E) The United States shall oppose any loan or finan-
cial or technical assistance to the agency by international 
financial institutions in accordance with section 701 of 
the International Financial Institutions Act (22 U.S.C. 
262d). 
(F) The United States shall deny to the agency any 
credit or financial assistance by any department, agency, 
or instrumentality of the United States Government, except 
that this paragraph shall not apply— 
(i) to any transaction subject to the reporting 
requirements of title V of the National Security Act 
of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.; relating to congressional 
oversight of intelligence activities); 
(ii) to the provision of medicines, medical equip-
ment, and humanitarian assistance; or 
(iii) to any credit, credit guarantee, or financial 
assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture 
to support the purchase of food or other agricultural 
commodities. 
(G) Additional restrictions as may be imposed pursuant 
to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
(2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subsection 
shall be construed to impose measures with respect to programs 
under section 1501 of the National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 1997 (50 U.S.C. 2632 note) and programs under 
the Atomic Energy Defense Act (50 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.). 
(c) TERMINATION.—The President may terminate any measures 
imposed with respect to an agency pursuant to subsection (b) if 
the President determines and notifies the appropriate congressional 
committees that— 
(1)(A) a person described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of 
subsection (a)(2) with respect to which the agency is carrying 
out activities or transactions is no longer designated pursuant 
to subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2); or 
(B) any person described in subparagraph (C) of subsection 
(a)(2) with respect to which the agency is carrying out activities 
or transactions is no longer acting on behalf of or at the direc-
tion of, or owned or controlled by, any person described in 
subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2); 
Notification. 
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126 STAT. 1247 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(2) the agency is no longer carrying out activities or trans-
actions for which the measures were imposed and has provided 
assurances to the United States Government that the agency 
will not carry out the activities or transactions in the future; 
or 
(3) it is essential to the national security interest of the 
United States to terminate such measures. 
(d) WAIVER.—If the President does not impose one or more 
measures described in subsection (b) with respect to an agency 
identified in the report required by subsection (a), the President 
shall include in the subsequent report an explanation as to why 
the President did not impose such measures. 
(e) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘appropriate congres-
sional committees’’ means— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee 
on Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Com-
mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee 
on Finance, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the 
Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on 
Appropriations, the Committee on Armed Services, the Com-
mittee on Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and 
Means, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence 
of the House of Representatives. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect on the date 
of the enactment of this Act and apply with respect to activities 
and transactions described in subsection (a) that are carried out 
on or after the later of— 
(1) the date that is 45 days after such date of enactment; 
or 
(2) the date that is 45 days after a person is designated 
as described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2). 
SEC. 304. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to limit the authority 
of the President to designate foreign persons for the imposition 
of sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.). 
Subtitle B—Additional Measures Relating 
to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps 
SEC. 311. EXPANSION OF PROCUREMENT PROHIBITION TO FOREIGN 
PERSONS THAT ENGAGE IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH 
IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6(b)(1) of the Iran Sanctions Act 
of 1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘Not later than 90 days’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(A) 
CERTIFICATIONS
RELATING
TO
ACTIVITIES 
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 5.—Not later than 90 days’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) CERTIFICATIONS RELATING TO TRANSACTIONS WITH 
IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS.—Not later than 120 
days after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8744. 
Applicability. 
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126 STAT. 1248 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, the Fed-
eral Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to require a 
certification from each person that is a prospective con-
tractor that the person, and any person owned or controlled 
by the person, does not knowingly engage in a significant 
transaction or transactions with Iran’s Revolutionary 
Guard Corps or any of its officials, agents, or affiliates 
the property and interests in property of which are blocked 
pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers 
Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.).’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) Section 6(b) of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as 
amended by subsection (a), is further amended— 
(A) in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), as designated 
by subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘issued pursuant to section 
25 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 
U.S.C. 421)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in subparagraph (A)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘the revision’’ and inserting ‘‘the 
applicable revision’’; and 
(II) by striking ‘‘not more than 3 years’’ and 
inserting ‘‘not less than 2 years’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘issued pursu-
ant to section 25 of the Office of Federal Procurement 
Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 421)’’; 
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘in the national 
interest’’ and inserting ‘‘essential to the national security 
interests’’; 
(D) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(6) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) EXECUTIVE AGENCY.—The term ‘executive agency’ 
has the meaning given that term in section 133 of title 
41, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) FEDERAL
ACQUISITION
REGULATION.—The term 
‘Federal Acquisition Regulation’ means the regulation 
issued pursuant to section 1303(a)(1) of title 41, United 
States Code.’’; and 
(E) in paragraph (7)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘The revisions to the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation required under paragraph (1)’’ 
and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) 
CERTIFICATIONS
RELATING
TO
ACTIVITIES 
DESCRIBED
IN
SECTION
5.—The revisions to the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation required under paragraph (1)(A)’’; 
and 
(ii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(B) CERTIFICATIONS RELATING TO TRANSACTIONS WITH 
IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS.—The revisions to the 
Federal Acquisition Regulation required under paragraph 
(1)(B) shall apply with respect to contracts for which solici-
tations are issued on or after the date that is 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduc-
tion and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.’’. 
(2) Section 101(3) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8511(3)) 
Applicability. 
Effective date. 
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126 STAT. 1249 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
is amended by striking ‘‘section 4 of the Office of Federal 
Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 
133 of title 41, United States Code’’. 
SEC. 312. DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER THE NATIONAL IRANIAN 
OIL COMPANY AND THE NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COM-
PANY ARE AGENTS OR AFFILIATES OF IRAN’S REVOLU-
TIONARY GUARD CORPS. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the National Iranian Oil Company and the National Iranian Tanker 
Company are not only owned and controlled by the Government 
of Iran but that those companies provide significant support to 
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliates. 
(b) DETERMINATIONS.—Section 104(c) of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8513(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) DETERMINATIONS REGARDING NIOC AND NITC.— 
‘‘(A) DETERMINATIONS.—For purposes of paragraph 
(2)(E), the Secretary of the Treasury shall, not later than 
45 days after the date of the enactment of the Iran Threat 
Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012— 
‘‘(i) determine whether the NIOC or the NITC 
is an agent or affiliate of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard 
Corps; and 
‘‘(ii) submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report on the determinations made under 
clause (i), together with the reasons for those deter-
minations. 
‘‘(B) FORM
OF
REPORT.—A report submitted under 
subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be submitted in unclassified form 
but may contain a classified annex. 
‘‘(C) APPLICABILITY
WITH
RESPECT
TO
PETROLEUM 
TRANSACTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS.—Except as pro-
vided in clause (ii), if the Secretary of the Treasury 
determines that the NIOC or the NITC is a person 
described in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (2)(E), the 
regulations prescribed under paragraph (1) shall apply 
with respect to a significant transaction or transactions 
or significant financial services knowingly facilitated 
or provided by a foreign financial institution for the 
NIOC or the NITC, as applicable, for the purchase 
of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran, only 
if a determination of the President under section 
1245(d)(4)(B) of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(4)(B)) 
that there is a sufficient supply of petroleum and petro-
leum products produced in countries other than Iran 
to permit purchasers of petroleum and petroleum prod-
ucts from Iran to reduce significantly their purchases 
from Iran is in effect at the time of the transaction 
or the provision of the service. 
‘‘(ii) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN COUNTRIES.—If the 
Secretary of the Treasury determines that the NIOC 
or the NITC is a person described in clause (i) or 
(ii) of paragraph (2)(E), the regulations prescribed 
under paragraph (1) shall not apply to a significant 
Deadline. 
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126 STAT. 1250 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
transaction or transactions or significant financial serv-
ices knowingly facilitated or provided by a foreign 
financial institution for the NIOC or the NITC, as 
applicable, for the purchase of petroleum or petroleum 
products from Iran if an exception under paragraph 
(4)(D) of section 1245(d) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 
8513a(d)) applies to the country with primary jurisdic-
tion over the foreign financial institution at the time 
of the transaction or the provision of the service. 
‘‘(iii) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The exceptions in 
clauses (i) and (ii) shall not be construed to limit the 
authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to impose 
sanctions pursuant to the regulations prescribed under 
paragraph (1) for an activity described in paragraph 
(2) to the extent the activity would meet the criteria 
described in that paragraph in the absence of the 
involvement of the NIOC or the NITC. 
‘‘(D) DEFINITIONS.—In this paragraph: 
‘‘(i) NIOC.—The term ‘NIOC’ means the National 
Iranian Oil Company. 
‘‘(ii) NITC.—The term ‘NITC’ means the National 
Iranian Tanker Company.’’. 
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) WAIVER.—Section 104(f) of the Comprehensive Iran 
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 
U.S.C. 8513(f)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or section 104A’’ after 
‘‘subsection (c)’’. 
(2) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—Section 104(g) of the Com-
prehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act 
of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8513(g)) is amended by striking ‘‘subsection 
(c)(1)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph (1) or (4) of subsection (c) 
or section 104A’’ both places it appears. 
(d) APPLICABILITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If an exception to sanctions described 
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (4)(C) of section 104(c) of 
the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divest-
ment Act of 2010, as added by subsection (b), applies to a 
person that engages in a transaction described in paragraph 
(2) at the time of the transaction, the President is authorized 
not to impose sanctions with respect to the transaction under— 
(A) section 302(b)(1); 
(B) section 104A of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, as added by 
section 216; or 
(C) any other applicable provision of law authorizing 
the imposition of sanctions with respect to Iran. 
(2) TRANSACTION DESCRIBED.—A transaction described in 
this paragraph is a transaction— 
(A) solely for the purchase of petroleum or petroleum 
products from Iran; and 
(B) for which sanctions may be imposed solely as a 
result of the involvement of the National Iranian Oil Com-
pany or the National Iranian Tanker Company in the trans-
action under— 
(i) section 302(b)(1); 
22 USC 8513 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1251 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(ii) section 104A of the Comprehensive Iran Sanc-
tions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, as 
added by section 216; or 
(iii) any other applicable provision of law author-
izing the imposition of sanctions with respect to Iran. 
TITLE IV—MEASURES RELATING TO 
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN IRAN 
Subtitle A—Expansion of Sanctions 
Relating to Human Rights Abuses in Iran 
SEC. 401. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS ON CERTAIN PERSONS RESPON-
SIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES 
COMMITTED AGAINST CITIZENS OF IRAN OR THEIR 
FAMILY MEMBERS AFTER THE JUNE 12, 2009, ELECTIONS 
IN IRAN. 
(a) SENSE
OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
the Supreme Leader of Iran, the President of Iran, senior members 
of the Intelligence Ministry of Iran, senior members of Iran’s Revolu-
tionary Guard Corps, Ansar-e-Hezbollah and Basij-e-Mostaz’afin, 
and the Ministers of Defense, Interior, Justice, and Telecommuni-
cations are ultimately responsible for ordering, controlling, or other-
wise directing a pattern and practice of serious human rights abuses 
against the Iranian people, and thus the President should include 
such persons on the list of persons who are responsible for or 
complicit in committing serious human rights abuses and subject 
to sanctions pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Iran 
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 
8514). 
(b) REPORT.— 
(1) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall 
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a detailed 
report with respect to whether each person described in sub-
section (a) is responsible for or complicit in, or responsible 
for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing the commission 
of serious human rights abuses against citizens of Iran or 
their family members on or after June 12, 2009, regardless 
of whether such abuses occurred in Iran. For any such person 
who is not included in such report, the Secretary of State 
should describe in the report the reasons why the person was 
not included, including information on whether sufficient cred-
ible evidence of responsibility for such abuses was found. 
(2) FORM.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall be 
submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classified 
annex. 
(3) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘appropriate 
congressional committees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Com-
mittee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Com-
mittee on Financial Services of the House of Representa-
tives. 
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126 STAT. 1252 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
SEC. 402. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE 
TRANSFER OF GOODS OR TECHNOLOGIES TO IRAN THAT 
ARE LIKELY TO BE USED TO COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS 
ABUSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 105 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 105A. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE 
TRANSFER OF GOODS OR TECHNOLOGIES TO IRAN THAT 
ARE LIKELY TO BE USED TO COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS 
ABUSES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall impose sanctions in 
accordance with subsection (c) with respect to each person on the 
list required by subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) LIST.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria 
Human Rights Act of 2012, the President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a list of persons that 
the President determines have knowingly engaged in an activity 
described in paragraph (2) on or after such date of enactment. 
‘‘(2) ACTIVITY DESCRIBED.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—A person engages in an activity 
described in this paragraph if the person— 
‘‘(i) transfers, or facilitates the transfer of, goods 
or technologies described in subparagraph (C) to Iran, 
any entity organized under the laws of Iran or other-
wise subject to the jurisdiction of the Government of 
Iran, or any national of Iran, for use in or with respect 
to Iran; or 
‘‘(ii) provides services (including services relating 
to hardware, software, and specialized information, and 
professional consulting, engineering, and support serv-
ices) with respect to goods or technologies described 
in subparagraph (C) after such goods or technologies 
are transferred to Iran. 
‘‘(B) APPLICABILITY TO CONTRACTS AND OTHER AGREE-
MENTS.—A person engages in an activity described in 
subparagraph (A) without regard to whether the activity 
is carried out pursuant to a contract or other agreement 
entered into before, on, or after the date of the enactment 
of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights 
Act of 2012. 
‘‘(C) GOODS OR TECHNOLOGIES DESCRIBED.—Goods or 
technologies described in this subparagraph are goods or 
technologies that the President determines are likely to 
be used by the Government of Iran or any of its agencies 
or instrumentalities (or by any other person on behalf 
of the Government of Iran or any of such agencies or 
instrumentalities) to commit serious human rights abuses 
against the people of Iran, including— 
‘‘(i) firearms or ammunition (as those terms are 
defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code), 
rubber bullets, police batons, pepper or chemical 
sprays, stun grenades, electroshock weapons, tear gas, 
water cannons, or surveillance technology; or 
22 USC 8514a. 
President. 
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126 STAT. 1253 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(ii) sensitive technology (as defined in section 
106(c)). 
‘‘(3) SPECIAL
RULE
TO
ALLOW
FOR
TERMINATION
OF 
SANCTIONABLE ACTIVITY.—The President shall not be required 
to include a person on the list required by paragraph (1) if 
the President certifies in writing to the appropriate congres-
sional committees that— 
‘‘(A) the person is no longer engaging in, or has taken 
significant verifiable steps toward stopping, the activity 
described in paragraph (2) for which the President would 
otherwise have included the person on the list; and 
‘‘(B) the President has received reliable assurances that 
the person will not knowingly engage in any activity 
described in paragraph (2) in the future. 
‘‘(4) UPDATES OF LIST.—The President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an updated list under 
paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) each time the President is required to submit 
an updated list to those committees under section 
105(b)(2)(A); and 
‘‘(B) as new information becomes available. 
‘‘(5) FORM OF REPORT; PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— 
‘‘(A) FORM.—The list required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classi-
fied annex. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The unclassified portion of 
the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available 
to the public and posted on the websites of the Department 
of the Treasury and the Department of State. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the President 
shall impose sanctions described in section 105(c) with respect 
to a person on the list required by subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) TRANSFERS TO IRAN’S REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS.— 
In the case of a person on the list required by subsection 
(b) for transferring, or facilitating the transfer of, goods or 
technologies described in subsection (b)(2)(C) to Iran’s Revolu-
tionary Guard Corps, or providing services with respect to 
such goods or technologies after such goods or technologies 
are transferred to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Presi-
dent shall— 
‘‘(A) impose sanctions described in section 105(c) with 
respect to the person; and 
‘‘(B) impose such other sanctions from among the sanc-
tions described in section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act 
of 1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) as 
the President determines appropriate.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the Com-
prehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 
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126 STAT. 1254 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
2010 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 
105 the following: 
‘‘Sec. 105A. Imposition of sanctions with respect to the transfer of goods or tech-
nologies to Iran that are likely to be used to commit human rights 
abuses.’’. 
SEC. 403. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PERSONS 
WHO ENGAGE IN CENSORSHIP OR OTHER RELATED 
ACTIVITIES AGAINST CITIZENS OF IRAN. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) satellite service providers and other entities that have 
direct contractual arrangements to provide satellite services 
to the Government of Iran or entities owned or controlled 
by that Government should cease providing broadcast services 
to that Government and those entities unless that Government 
ceases activities intended to jam or restrict satellite signals; 
and 
(2) the United States should address the illegal jamming 
of satellite signals by the Government of Iran through the 
voice and vote of the United States in the United Nations 
International Telecommunications Union. 
(b) IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.—The Comprehensive Iran Sanc-
tions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8501 
et seq.), as amended by section 402, is further amended by inserting 
after section 105A the following: 
‘‘SEC. 105B. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PERSONS 
WHO ENGAGE IN CENSORSHIP OR OTHER RELATED 
ACTIVITIES AGAINST CITIZENS OF IRAN. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The President shall impose sanctions 
described in section 105(c) with respect to each person on the 
list required by subsection (b). 
‘‘(b) LIST OF PERSONS WHO ENGAGE IN CENSORSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria 
Human Rights Act of 2012, the President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees a list of persons that 
the President determines have, on or after June 12, 2009, 
engaged in censorship or other activities with respect to Iran 
that— 
‘‘(A) prohibit, limit, or penalize the exercise of freedom 
of expression or assembly by citizens of Iran; or 
‘‘(B) limit access to print or broadcast media, including 
the facilitation or support of intentional frequency manipu-
lation by the Government of Iran or an entity owned or 
controlled by that Government that would jam or restrict 
an international signal. 
‘‘(2) UPDATES OF LIST.—The President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an updated list under 
paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) each time the President is required to submit 
an updated list to those committees under section 
105(b)(2)(A); and 
‘‘(B) as new information becomes available. 
‘‘(3) FORM OF REPORT; PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— 
Deadline. 
Determination. 
22 USC 8514b. 
President. 
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126 STAT. 1255 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(A) FORM.—The list required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classi-
fied annex. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The unclassified portion of 
the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available 
to the public and posted on the websites of the Department 
of the Treasury and the Department of State.’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents for the Com-
prehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 
2010, as amended by section 402, is further amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 105A the following: 
‘‘Sec. 105B. Imposition of sanctions with respect to persons who engage in censor-
ship or other related activities against citizens of Iran.’’. 
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—Section 401(b)(1) of the Com-
prehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 
2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘, 105A(a), or 105B(a)’’ after ‘‘105(a)’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘, 105A(b), or 105B(b)’’ after ‘‘105(b)’’. 
Subtitle B—Additional Measures to 
Promote Human Rights 
SEC. 411. CODIFICATION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO GRAVE 
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF IRAN 
AND SYRIA USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. 
United States sanctions with respect to Iran and Syria provided 
for in Executive Order No. 13606 (77 Fed. Reg. 24571), as in 
effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act, 
shall remain in effect— 
(1) with respect to Iran, until the date that is 30 days 
after the date on which the President submits to Congress 
the certification described in section 401(a) of the Comprehen-
sive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 
(22 U.S.C. 8551(a)); and 
(2) with respect to Syria, until the date on which the 
provisions of and sanctions imposed pursuant to title VII termi-
nate pursuant to section 706. 
SEC. 412. CLARIFICATION OF SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PUR-
POSES OF PROCUREMENT BAN UNDER COMPREHENSIVE 
IRAN SANCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND DIVESTMENT 
ACT OF 2010. 
The Secretary of State shall— 
(1) not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, issue guidelines to further describe the technologies 
that may be considered ‘‘sensitive technology’’ for purposes of 
section 106 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8515), with 
special attention to new forms of sophisticated jamming, moni-
toring, and surveillance technology relating to mobile tele-
communications and the Internet, and publish those guidelines 
in the Federal Register; 
(2) determine the types of technologies that enable any 
indigenous capabilities that Iran has to disrupt and monitor 
Determination. 
Deadline. 
Guidelines. 
Federal Register, 
publication. 
22 USC 8752. 
President. 
Certification. 
Deadlines. 
22 USC 8751. 
Web posting. 
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126 STAT. 1256 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
information and communications in that country, and consider 
adding descriptions of those items to the guidelines; and 
(3) periodically review, but in no case less than once each 
year, the guidelines and, if necessary, amend the guidelines 
on the basis of technological developments and new information 
regarding transfers of technologies to Iran and the development 
of Iran’s indigenous capabilities to disrupt and monitor informa-
tion and communications in Iran. 
SEC. 413. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF REQUESTS FOR AUTHORIZA-
TION OF CERTAIN HUMAN RIGHTS-, HUMANITARIAN-, AND 
DEMOCRACY-RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH RESPECT TO 
IRAN. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—The Office of Foreign Assets Control, in 
consultation with the Department of State, shall establish an expe-
dited process for the consideration of complete requests for 
authorization to engage in human rights-, humanitarian-, or democ-
racy-related activities relating to Iran that are submitted by— 
(1) entities receiving funds from the Department of State 
to engage in the proposed activity; 
(2) the Broadcasting Board of Governors; and 
(3) other appropriate agencies of the United States Govern-
ment. 
(b) PROCEDURES.—Requests for authorization under subsection 
(a) shall be submitted to the Office of Foreign Assets Control 
in conformance with the Office’s regulations, including section 
501.801 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly known 
as the Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations). Applicants 
shall fully disclose the parties to the transactions as well as describe 
the activities to be undertaken. License applications involving the 
exportation or reexportation of goods, technology, or software to 
Iran shall include a copy of an official Commodity Classification 
issued by the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and 
Security, as part of the license application. 
(c) FOREIGN POLICY REVIEW.—The Department of State shall 
complete a foreign policy review of a request for authorization 
under subsection (a) not later than 30 days after the request is 
referred to the Department by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. 
(d) LICENSE DETERMINATIONS.—License determinations for com-
plete requests for authorization under subsection (a) shall be made 
not later than 90 days after receipt by the Office of Foreign Assets 
Control, with the following exceptions: 
(1) Any requests involving the exportation or reexportation 
to Iran of goods, technology, or software listed on the Commerce 
Control List maintained pursuant to part 774 of title 15, Code 
of Federal Regulations, shall be processed in a manner con-
sistent with the Iran-Iraq Arms Non-Proliferation Act of 1992 
(title XVI of Public Law 102–484) and other applicable provi-
sions of law. 
(2) Any other requests presenting unusual or extraordinary 
circumstances. 
(e) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe 
such regulations as are appropriate to carry out this section. 
SEC. 414. COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO PROMOTE INTERNET 
FREEDOM AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN IRAN. 
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8754. 
Deadline. 
Deadline. 
Disclosure. 
Records. 
Process. 
22 USC 8753. 
Review. 
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126 STAT. 1257 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
of the Treasury and the heads of other Federal agencies, as appro-
priate, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
a comprehensive strategy to— 
(1) assist the people of Iran to produce, access, and share 
information freely and safely via the Internet, including in 
Farsi and regional languages; 
(2) support the development of counter-censorship tech-
nologies that enable the citizens of Iran to undertake Internet 
activities without interference from the Government of Iran; 
(3) increase the capabilities and availability of secure 
mobile and other communications through connective tech-
nology among human rights and democracy activists in Iran; 
(4) provide resources for digital safety training for media 
and academic and civil society organizations in Iran; 
(5) provide accurate and substantive Internet content in 
local languages in Iran; 
(6) increase emergency resources for the most vulnerable 
human rights advocates seeking to organize, share information, 
and support human rights in Iran; 
(7) expand surrogate radio, television, live stream, and 
social network communications inside Iran, including— 
(A) by expanding Voice of America’s Persian News 
Network and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Radio 
Farda to provide hourly live news update programming 
and breaking news coverage capability 24 hours a day 
and 7 days a week; and 
(B) by assisting telecommunications and software 
companies that are United States persons to comply with 
the export licensing requirements of the United States 
for the purpose of expanding such communications inside 
Iran; 
(8) expand activities to safely assist and train human 
rights, civil society, and democracy activists in Iran to operate 
effectively and securely; 
(9) identify and utilize all available resources to overcome 
attempts by the Government of Iran to jam or otherwise deny 
international satellite broadcasting signals; 
(10) expand worldwide United States embassy and con-
sulate programming for and outreach to Iranian dissident 
communities; 
(11) expand access to proxy servers for democracy activists 
in Iran; and 
(12) discourage telecommunications and software compa-
nies from facilitating Internet censorship by the Government 
of Iran. 
SEC. 415. STATEMENT OF POLICY ON POLITICAL PRISONERS. 
It shall be the policy of the United States— 
(1) to support efforts to research and identify prisoners 
of conscience and cases of human rights abuses in Iran; 
(2) to offer refugee status or political asylum in the United 
States to political dissidents in Iran if requested and consistent 
with the laws and national security interests of the United 
States; 
(3) to offer to assist, through the United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees, with the relocation of such political 
prisoners to other countries if requested, as appropriate and 
22 USC 8755. 
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126 STAT. 1258 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
with appropriate consideration for the national security 
interests of the United States; and 
(4) to publicly call for the release of Iranian dissidents 
by name and raise awareness with respect to individual cases 
of Iranian dissidents and prisoners of conscience, as appropriate 
and if requested by the dissidents or prisoners themselves 
or their families. 
TITLE V—MISCELLANEOUS 
SEC. 501. EXCLUSION OF CITIZENS OF IRAN SEEKING EDUCATION 
RELATING TO THE NUCLEAR AND ENERGY SECTORS OF 
IRAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall deny a visa 
to, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall exclude from 
the United States, any alien who is a citizen of Iran that the 
Secretary of State determines seeks to enter the United States 
to participate in coursework at an institution of higher education 
(as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1001(a))) to prepare the alien for a career in the energy 
sector of Iran or in nuclear science or nuclear engineering or a 
related field in Iran. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) applies with respect to visa 
applications filed on or after the date of the enactment of this 
Act. 
SEC. 502. INTERESTS IN CERTAIN FINANCIAL ASSETS OF IRAN. 
(a) INTERESTS IN BLOCKED ASSETS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, including any provision of law 
relating to sovereign immunity, and preempting any incon-
sistent provision of State law, a financial asset that is— 
(A) held in the United States for a foreign securities 
intermediary doing business in the United States; 
(B) a blocked asset (whether or not subsequently 
unblocked) that is property described in subsection (b); 
and 
(C) equal in value to a financial asset of Iran, including 
an asset of the central bank or monetary authority of 
the Government of Iran or any agency or instrumentality 
of that Government, that such foreign securities inter-
mediary or a related intermediary holds abroad, 
shall be subject to execution or attachment in aid of execution 
in order to satisfy any judgment to the extent of any compen-
satory damages awarded against Iran for damages for personal 
injury or death caused by an act of torture, extrajudicial killing, 
aircraft sabotage, or hostage-taking, or the provision of material 
support or resources for such an act. 
(2) COURT DETERMINATION REQUIRED.—In order to ensure 
that Iran is held accountable for paying the judgments 
described in paragraph (1) and in furtherance of the broader 
goals of this Act to sanction Iran, prior to an award turning 
over any asset pursuant to execution or attachment in aid 
of execution with respect to any judgments against Iran 
described in paragraph (1), the court shall determine whether 
Iran holds equitable title to, or the beneficial interest in, the 
22 USC 8772. 
Determination. 
22 USC 8771. 
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126 STAT. 1259 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
assets described in subsection (b) and that no other person 
possesses a constitutionally protected interest in the assets 
described in subsection (b) under the Fifth Amendment to the 
Constitution of the United States. To the extent the court 
determines that a person other than Iran holds— 
(A) equitable title to, or a beneficial interest in, the 
assets described in subsection (b) (excluding a custodial 
interest of a foreign securities intermediary or a related 
intermediary that holds the assets abroad for the benefit 
of Iran); or 
(B) a constitutionally protected interest in the assets 
described in subsection (b), 
such assets shall be available only for execution or attachment 
in aid of execution to the extent of Iran’s equitable title or 
beneficial interest therein and to the extent such execution 
or attachment does not infringe upon such constitutionally pro-
tected interest. 
(b) FINANCIAL
ASSETS
DESCRIBED.—The financial assets 
described in this section are the financial assets that are identified 
in and the subject of proceedings in the United States District 
Court for the Southern District of New York in Peterson et al. 
v. Islamic Republic of Iran et al., Case No. 10 Civ. 4518 (BSJ) 
(GWG), that were restrained by restraining notices and levies 
secured by the plaintiffs in those proceedings, as modified by court 
order dated June 27, 2008, and extended by court orders dated 
June 23, 2009, May 10, 2010, and June 11, 2010, so long as 
such assets remain restrained by court order. 
(c) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed— 
(1) to affect the availability, or lack thereof, of a right 
to satisfy a judgment in any other action against a terrorist 
party in any proceedings other than proceedings referred to 
in subsection (b); or 
(2) to apply to assets other than the assets described in 
subsection (b), or to preempt State law, including the Uniform 
Commercial Code, except as expressly provided in subsection 
(a)(1). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) BLOCKED ASSET.—The term ‘‘blocked asset’’— 
(A) means any asset seized or frozen by the United 
States under section 5(b) of the Trading With the Enemy 
Act (50 U.S.C. App. 5(b)) or under section 202 or 203 
of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 and 1702); and 
(B) does not include property that— 
(i) is subject to a license issued by the United 
States Government for final payment, transfer, or dis-
position by or to a person subject to the jurisdiction 
of the United States in connection with a transaction 
for which the issuance of the license has been specifi-
cally required by a provision of law other than the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) or the United Nations Participa-
tion Act of 1945 (22 U.S.C. 287 et seq.); or 
(ii) is property subject to the Vienna Convention 
on Diplomatic Relations or the Vienna Convention on 
Consular Relations, or that enjoys equivalent privileges 
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126 STAT. 1260 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
and immunities under the laws of the United States, 
and is being used exclusively for diplomatic or consular 
purposes. 
(2) FINANCIAL
ASSET; 
SECURITIES
INTERMEDIARY.—The 
terms ‘‘financial asset’’ and ‘‘securities intermediary’’ have the 
meanings given those terms in the Uniform Commercial Code, 
but the former includes cash. 
(3) IRAN.—The term ‘‘Iran’’ means the Government of Iran, 
including the central bank or monetary authority of that 
Government and any agency or instrumentality of that Govern-
ment. 
(4) PERSON.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘person’’ means an indi-
vidual or entity. 
(B) ENTITY.—The term ‘‘entity’’ means a partnership, 
association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, sub-
group, or other organization. 
(5) TERRORIST PARTY.—The term ‘‘terrorist party’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 201(d) of the Terrorism 
Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (28 U.S.C. 1610 note). 
(6) UNITED
STATES.—The term ‘‘United States’’ includes 
all territory and waters, continental, or insular, subject to the 
jurisdiction of the United States. 
(e) TECHNICAL CHANGES TO THE FOREIGN SOVEREIGN IMMUNI-
TIES ACT.— 
(1) TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE.—Section 1610 of title 
28, United States Code, is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a)(7), by inserting after ‘‘section 
1605A’’ the following: ‘‘or section 1605(a)(7) (as such section 
was in effect on January 27, 2008)’’; and 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in paragraph (2)— 
(I) by striking ‘‘(5), 1605(b), or 1605A’’ and 
inserting ‘‘(5) or 1605(b)’’; and 
(II) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘, or’’; and 
(ii) by adding after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) the judgment relates to a claim for which the agency 
or instrumentality is not immune by virtue of section 1605A 
of this chapter or section 1605(a)(7) of this chapter (as such 
section was in effect on January 27, 2008), regardless of 
whether the property is or was involved in the act upon which 
the claim is based.’’. 
(2) TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE ACT OF 2002.—Section 201(a) 
of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (28 U.S.C. 1610 
note) is amended by striking ‘‘section 1605(a)(7)’’ and inserting 
‘‘section 1605A or 1605(a)(7) (as such section was in effect 
on January 27, 2008)’’. 
SEC. 503. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO SECTION 1245 OF THE 
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL 
YEAR 2012. 
(a) EXCEPTION FOR SALES OF AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1245(d)(2) of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a(d)(2)) 
is amended— 
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126 STAT. 1261 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(A) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘AGRICUL-
TURAL COMMODITIES,’’ after ‘‘SALES OF’’; and 
(B) in the text, by inserting ‘‘agricultural commodities,’’ 
after ‘‘sale of’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect as if included in the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 
125 Stat. 1298). 
(b) REPORT OF ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 1245(d)(4)(A) of the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 
8513a(d)(4)(A)) is amended— 
(A) by striking ‘‘60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and every 60 days thereafter’’ and inserting 
‘‘October 25, 2012, and the last Thursday of every other 
month thereafter’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘60-day period’’ and inserting ‘‘2-month 
period’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraph 
(1) shall take effect on September 1, 2012. 
SEC. 504. EXPANSION OF SANCTIONS UNDER SECTION 1245 OF THE 
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL 
YEAR 2012. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—Section 1245 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8513a), as 
amended by section 503, is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (d)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘a foreign financial 
institution owned or controlled by the government of a 
foreign country, including’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (4)(D)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Sanctions imposed’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Sanctions imposed’’; 
(ii) in clause (i), as designated by clause (i) of 
this subparagraph— 
(I) by striking ‘‘a foreign financial institution’’ 
and inserting ‘‘a financial transaction described 
in clause (ii) conducted or facilitated by a foreign 
financial institution’’; 
(II) by striking ‘‘institution has significantly’’ 
and inserting ‘‘institution— 
‘‘(I) has significantly reduced’’; 
(III) by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(IV) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) in the case of a country that has pre-
viously received an exception under this subpara-
graph, has, after receiving the exception, reduced 
its crude oil purchases from Iran to zero.’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(ii) 
FINANCIAL
TRANSACTIONS
DESCRIBED.—A 
financial transaction conducted or facilitated by a for-
eign financial institution is described in this clause 
if— 
22 USC 8513a 
note. 
22 USC 8513a 
note. 
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126 STAT. 1262 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
‘‘(I) the financial transaction is only for trade 
in goods or services between the country with pri-
mary jurisdiction over the foreign financial institu-
tion and Iran; and 
‘‘(II) any funds owed to Iran as a result of 
such trade are credited to an account located in 
the country with primary jurisdiction over the for-
eign financial institution.’’; 
(2) in subsection (h)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); 
and 
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
‘‘(3) SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS.—The terms ‘reduce signifi-
cantly’, ‘significant reduction’, and ‘significantly reduced’, with 
respect to purchases from Iran of petroleum and petroleum 
products, include a reduction in such purchases in terms of 
price or volume toward a complete cessation of such purchases.’’; 
and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(i) TERMINATION.—The provisions of this section shall termi-
nate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the 
President submits to Congress the certification described in section 
401(a) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and 
Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(a)).’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by paragraphs 
(1) and (2) of subsection (a) shall apply with respect to financial 
transactions conducted or facilitated on or after the date that is 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 505. REPORTS ON NATURAL GAS EXPORTS FROM IRAN. 
(a) REPORT
BY ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION.—Not 
later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration shall 
submit to the President and the appropriate congressional commit-
tees a report on the natural gas sector of Iran that includes— 
(1) an assessment of exports of natural gas from Iran; 
(2) an identification of the countries that purchase the 
most natural gas from Iran; 
(3) an assessment of alternative supplies of natural gas 
available to those countries; 
(4) an assessment of the impact a reduction in exports 
of natural gas from Iran would have on global natural gas 
supplies and the price of natural gas, especially in countries 
identified under paragraph (2); and 
(5) such other information as the Administrator considers 
appropriate. 
(b) REPORT BY PRESIDENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 60 days after receiving 
the report required by subsection (a), the President shall, 
relying on information in that report, submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees a report that includes— 
(A) an assessment of— 
(i) the extent to which revenues from exports of 
natural gas from Iran are still enriching the Govern-
ment of Iran; 
(ii) whether a sanctions regime similar to the sanc-
tions regime imposed with respect to purchases of 
Applicability. 
22 USC 8513a 
note. 
Definition. 
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126 STAT. 1263 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
petroleum and petroleum products from Iran pursuant 
to section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization 
Act for Fiscal Year 2012, as amended by sections 503 
and 504, or other measures could be applied effectively 
to exports of natural gas from Iran; 
(iii) the geostrategic implications of a reduction 
in exports of natural gas from Iran, including the 
impact of such a reduction on the countries identified 
under subsection (a)(2); 
(iv) alternative supplies of natural gas available 
to those countries; and 
(v) the impact a reduction in exports of natural 
gas from Iran would have on global natural gas sup-
plies and the price of natural gas and the impact, 
if any, on swap arrangements for natural gas in place 
between Iran and neighboring countries; and 
(B) specific recommendations with respect to measures 
designed to limit the revenue received by the Government 
of Iran from exports of natural gas; and 
(C) any other information the President considers 
appropriate. 
(2) FORM OF REPORT.—Each report required by paragraph 
(1) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may contain 
a classified annex. 
SEC. 506. REPORT ON MEMBERSHIP OF IRAN IN INTERNATIONAL 
ORGANIZATIONS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and not later than September 1 of each year thereafter, 
the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
committees a report listing the international organizations of which 
Iran is a member and detailing the amount that the United States 
contributes to each such organization on an annual basis. 
SEC. 507. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON EXPORTATION OF GOODS, SERV-
ICES, AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR AIRCRAFT PRODUCED IN 
THE UNITED STATES. 
It is the sense of Congress that licenses to export or reexport 
goods, services, or technologies for aircraft produced in the United 
States should be provided only in situations in which such licenses 
are truly essential and in a manner consistent with the laws and 
foreign policy goals of the United States. 
TITLE VI—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 601. IMPLEMENTATION; PENALTIES. 
(a) IMPLEMENTATION.—The President may exercise all authori-
ties provided under sections 203 and 205 of the International Emer-
gency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702 and 1704) to carry 
out— 
(1) sections 211, 212, 213, 217, 218, 220, 312, and 411, 
subtitle A of title III, and title VII; 
(2) section 104A of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, 
Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, as added by section 
312; and 
22 USC 8781. 
22 USC 8773. 
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126 STAT. 1264 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(3) sections 105A and 105B of the Comprehensive Iran 
Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, as added 
by subtitle A of title IV. 
(b) PENALTIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The penalties provided for in subsections 
(b) and (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Eco-
nomic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) shall apply to a person 
that violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or causes 
a violation of a provision specified in paragraph (2) of this 
subsection, or an order or regulation prescribed under such 
a provision, to the same extent that such penalties apply to 
a person that commits an unlawful act described in section 
206(a) of that Act. 
(2) PROVISIONS SPECIFIED.—The provisions specified in this 
paragraph are the following: 
(A) Sections 211, 212, 213, and 220, subtitle A of title 
III, and title VII. 
(B) Sections 105A and 105B of the Comprehensive 
Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, 
as added by subtitle A of title IV. 
SEC. 602. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES. 
Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act 
shall apply to the authorized intelligence activities of the United 
States. 
SEC. 603. APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN NATURAL GAS PROJECTS. 
(a) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN NATURAL GAS PROJECTS.—Nothing 
in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall apply to 
any activity relating to a project— 
(1) for the development of natural gas and the construction 
and operation of a pipeline to transport natural gas from Azer-
baijan to Turkey and Europe; 
(2) that provides to Turkey and countries in Europe energy 
security and energy independence from the Government of the 
Russian Federation and other governments with jurisdiction 
over persons subject to sanctions imposed under this Act or 
amendments made by this Act; and 
(3) that was initiated before the date of the enactment 
of this Act pursuant to a production-sharing agreement, or 
an ancillary agreement necessary to further a production- 
sharing agreement, entered into with, or a license granted 
by, the government of a country other than Iran before such 
date of enactment. 
(b) TERMINATION OF EXCEPTION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The exception under subsection (a) shall 
not apply with respect to a project described in that subsection 
on or after the date on which the President certifies to the 
appropriate congressional committees that— 
(A) the percentage of the equity interest in the project 
held by or on behalf of an entity described in paragraph 
(2) has increased relative to the percentage of the equity 
interest in the project held by or on behalf of such an 
entity on January 1, 2002; or 
(B) an entity described in paragraph (2) has assumed 
an operational role in the project. 
(2) ENTITY DESCRIBED.—An entity described in this para-
graph is— 
Certification. 
22 USC 8783. 
22 USC 8782. 
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126 STAT. 1265 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(A) an entity— 
(i) owned or controlled by the Government of Iran 
or identified under section 560.304 of title 31, Code 
of Federal Regulations (relating to the definition of 
the Government of Iran); or 
(ii) organized under the laws of Iran or with the 
participation or approval of the Government of Iran; 
(B) an entity owned or controlled by an entity described 
in subparagraph (A); or 
(C) a successor entity to an entity described in subpara-
graph (A). 
SEC. 604. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION WITH RESPECT TO USE OF FORCE 
AGAINST IRAN AND SYRIA. 
Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act 
shall be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization 
of the use of force against Iran or Syria. 
SEC. 605. TERMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sections 211, 212, 213, 
218, 220, 221, and 501, title I, and subtitle A of title III shall 
terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which 
the President makes the certification described in section 401(a) 
of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divest-
ment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(a)). 
(b) AMENDMENT
TO TERMINATION DATE
OF COMPREHENSIVE 
IRAN SANCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND DIVESTMENT ACT OF 2010.— 
Section 401(a)(2) of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Account-
ability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(a)(2)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘, and verifiably dismantled its,’’ after 
‘‘development of’’. 
TITLE VII—SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT 
TO HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN SYRIA 
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Syria Human Rights Account-
ability Act of 2012’’. 
SEC. 702. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO CERTAIN PER-
SONS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT IN 
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES COMMITTED AGAINST CITIZENS 
OF SYRIA OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The President shall impose sanctions 
described in subsection (c) with respect to each person on the 
list required by subsection (b). 
(b) LIST OF PERSONS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OR COMPLICIT 
IN CERTAIN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a list of persons who 
are officials of the Government of Syria or persons acting on 
behalf of that Government that the President determines, based 
on credible evidence, are responsible for or complicit in, or 
responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the 
commission of serious human rights abuses against citizens 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8791. 
22 USC 8701 
note. 
Syria Human 
Rights 
Accountability 
Act of 2012. 
President. 
Determinations. 
22 USC 8785. 
22 USC 8784. 
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126 STAT. 1266 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
of Syria or their family members, regardless of whether such 
abuses occurred in Syria. 
(2) UPDATES OF LIST.—The President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an updated list under 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) not later than 300 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter; and 
(B) as new information becomes available. 
(3) FORM OF REPORT; PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— 
(A) FORM.—The list required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classi-
fied annex. 
(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The unclassified portion of 
the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available 
to the public and posted on the websites of the Department 
of the Treasury and the Department of State. 
(4) CONSIDERATION OF DATA FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AND 
NONGOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS.—In preparing the list 
required by paragraph (1), the President shall consider credible 
data already obtained by other countries and nongovernmental 
organizations, including organizations in Syria, that monitor 
the human rights abuses of the Government of Syria. 
(c) SANCTIONS DESCRIBED.—The sanctions described in this sub-
section are sanctions pursuant to the International Emergency Eco-
nomic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), including blocking of 
property and restrictions or prohibitions on financial transactions 
and the exportation of property, subject to such regulations as 
the President may prescribe. 
SEC. 703. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE 
TRANSFER OF GOODS OR TECHNOLOGIES TO SYRIA THAT 
ARE LIKELY TO BE USED TO COMMIT HUMAN RIGHTS 
ABUSES. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The President shall impose sanctions 
described in section 702(c) with respect to— 
(1) each person on the list required by subsection (b); 
and 
(2) any person that— 
(A) is a successor entity to a person on the list; 
(B) owns or controls a person on the list, if the person 
that owns or controls the person on the list had actual 
knowledge or should have known that the person on the 
list engaged in the activity described in subsection (b)(2) 
for which the person was included in the list; or 
(C) is owned or controlled by, or under common owner-
ship or control with, the person on the list, if the person 
owned or controlled by, or under common ownership or 
control with (as the case may be), the person on the list 
knowingly engaged in the activity described in subsection 
(b)(2) for which the person was included in the list. 
(b) LIST.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a list of persons that 
the President determines have knowingly engaged in an activity 
described in paragraph (2) on or after such date of enactment. 
(2) ACTIVITY DESCRIBED.— 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8792. 
Web posting. 
Deadlines. 
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126 STAT. 1267 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—A person engages in an activity 
described in this paragraph if the person— 
(i) transfers, or facilitates the transfer of, goods 
or technologies described in subparagraph (C) to Syria; 
or 
(ii) provides services with respect to goods or tech-
nologies described in subparagraph (C) after such goods 
or technologies are transferred to Syria. 
(B) APPLICABILITY TO CONTRACTS AND OTHER AGREE-
MENTS.—A person engages in an activity described in 
subparagraph (A) without regard to whether the activity 
is carried out pursuant to a contract or other agreement 
entered into before, on, or after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(C) GOODS
OR
TECHNOLOGIES
DESCRIBED.—Goods or 
technologies described in this subparagraph are goods or 
technologies that the President determines are likely to 
be used by the Government of Syria or any of its agencies 
or instrumentalities to commit human rights abuses 
against the people of Syria, including— 
(i) firearms or ammunition (as those terms are 
defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code), 
rubber bullets, police batons, pepper or chemical 
sprays, stun grenades, electroshock weapons, tear gas, 
water cannons, or surveillance technology; or 
(ii) sensitive technology. 
(D) SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY DEFINED.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of subparagraph (C), 
the term ‘‘sensitive technology’’ means hardware, soft-
ware, telecommunications equipment, or any other 
technology, that the President determines is to be used 
specifically— 
(I) to restrict the free flow of unbiased informa-
tion in Syria; or 
(II) to disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict 
speech of the people of Syria. 
(ii) EXCEPTION.—The term ‘‘sensitive technology’’ 
does not include information or informational materials 
the exportation of which the President does not have 
the authority to regulate or prohibit pursuant to section 
203(b)(3) of the International Emergency Economic 
Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(3)). 
(3) SPECIAL
RULE
TO
ALLOW
FOR
TERMINATION
OF 
SANCTIONABLE ACTIVITY.—The President shall not be required 
to include a person on the list required by paragraph (1) if 
the President certifies in writing to the appropriate congres-
sional committees that— 
(A) the person is no longer engaging in, or has taken 
significant verifiable steps toward stopping, the activity 
described in paragraph (2) for which the President would 
otherwise have included the person on the list; and 
(B) the President has received reliable assurances that 
the person will not knowingly engage in any activity 
described in paragraph (2) in the future. 
(4) UPDATES OF LIST.—The President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an updated list under 
paragraph (1)— 
Certification. 
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126 STAT. 1268 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
(A) not later than 300 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter; and 
(B) as new information becomes available. 
(5) FORM OF REPORT; PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— 
(A) FORM.—The list required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classi-
fied annex. 
(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The unclassified portion of 
the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available 
to the public and posted on the websites of the Department 
of the Treasury and the Department of State. 
SEC. 704. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PERSONS 
WHO ENGAGE IN CENSORSHIP OR OTHER FORMS OF 
REPRESSION IN SYRIA. 
(a) IN
GENERAL.—The President shall impose sanctions 
described in section 702(c) with respect to each person on the 
list required by subsection (b). 
(b) LIST OF PERSONS WHO ENGAGE IN CENSORSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to 
the appropriate congressional committees a list of persons that 
the President determines have engaged in censorship, or activi-
ties relating to censorship, in a manner that prohibits, limits, 
or penalizes the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression 
by citizens of Syria. 
(2) UPDATES OF LIST.—The President shall submit to the 
appropriate congressional committees an updated list under 
paragraph (1)— 
(A) not later than 300 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act and every 180 days thereafter; and 
(B) as new information becomes available. 
(3) FORM OF REPORT; PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.— 
(A) FORM.—The list required by paragraph (1) shall 
be submitted in unclassified form but may contain a classi-
fied annex. 
(B) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The unclassified portion of 
the list required by paragraph (1) shall be made available 
to the public and posted on the websites of the Department 
of the Treasury and the Department of State. 
SEC. 705. WAIVER. 
The President may waive the requirement to include a person 
on a list required by section 702, 703, or 704 or to impose sanctions 
pursuant to any such section if the President— 
(1) determines that such a waiver is in the national security 
interests of the United States; and 
(2) submits to the appropriate congressional committees 
a report on the reasons for that determination. 
SEC. 706. TERMINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of this title and any sanctions 
imposed pursuant to this title shall terminate on the date on 
which the President submits to the appropriate congressional 
committees— 
(1) the certification described in subsection (b); and 
(2) a certification that— 
Certification. 
22 USC 8795. 
Reports. 
22 USC 8794. 
Web posting. 
Deadlines. 
Deadline. 
22 USC 8793. 
Web posting. 
Deadlines. 
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126 STAT. 1269 
PUBLIC LAW 112–158—AUG. 10, 2012 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1905: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 157 (2011): Dec. 13, 14, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 158 (2012): May 21, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Aug. 1, House concurred in Senate amendment with an 
amendment. Senate concurred in House amendment. 
(A) the Government of Syria is democratically elected 
and representative of the people of Syria; or 
(B) a legitimate transitional government of Syria is 
in place. 
(b) CERTIFICATION DESCRIBED.—A certification described in this 
subsection is a certification by the President that the Government 
of Syria— 
(1) has unconditionally released all political prisoners; 
(2) has ceased its practices of violence, unlawful detention, 
torture, and abuse of citizens of Syria engaged in peaceful 
political activity; 
(3) has ceased its practice of procuring sensitive technology 
designed to restrict the free flow of unbiased information in 
Syria, or to disrupt, monitor, or otherwise restrict the right 
of citizens of Syria to freedom of expression; 
(4) has ceased providing support for foreign terrorist 
organizations and no longer allows such organizations, 
including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, 
to maintain facilities in territory under the control of the 
Government of Syria; and 
(5) has ceased the development and deployment of medium- 
and long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missiles; 
(6) is not pursuing or engaged in the research, development, 
acquisition, production, transfer, or deployment of biological, 
chemical, or nuclear weapons, and has provided credible assur-
ances that it will not engage in such activities in the future; 
and 
(7) has agreed to allow the United Nations and other inter-
national observers to verify that the Government of Syria is 
not engaging in such activities and to assess the credibility 
of the assurances provided by that Government. 
(c) SUSPENSION OF SANCTIONS AFTER ELECTION OF DEMOCRATIC 
GOVERNMENT.—If the President submits to the appropriate congres-
sional committees the certification described in subsection (a)(2), 
the President may suspend the provisions of this title and any 
sanctions imposed under this title for not more than 180 days 
to allow time for a certification described in subsection (b) to be 
submitted. 
Approved August 10, 2012. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
07:30 May 21, 2015
Jkt 019194
PO 00001
Frm 01267
Fmt 6580
Sfmt 6580
G:\GSDD\STATUTES\2012\PT1\19194PT1.001
19194PT1