Trade, tariffs and industry

Executive Order 13059: Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Iran

President: Bill Clinton

Consolidated and clarified broad restrictions on trade, investment and financial dealings with Iran.

Status: In effect as amended.

Is Executive Order 13059 still in effect? Yes. Active as amended and implemented in OFAC’s Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.

What does Executive Order 13059 do?

EO 13059 consolidated the 1995 Iran orders and prohibited most imports from Iran, exports and reexports to Iran, new investment, facilitation and evasive transactions by US persons. It preserved licensing authority, humanitarian exceptions defined by law and rules for pre-existing obligations. Later orders, statutes and OFAC regulations expanded or adjusted the program. OFAC continues to list EO 13059 as an active Iran sanctions authority.

Administration position: The order is broad but not absolute: licenses, statutory exemptions and current regulations determine whether a particular transaction is permitted.
SignedAugust 19, 1997
EffectiveAugust 20, 1997
AdministratorTreasury / OFAC

Before and after

Before the order

EOs 12957 and 12959 imposed investment and trade restrictions through overlapping provisions.

After the order

EO 13059 supplied a consolidated framework that remains part of the much larger current Iran sanctions program.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
US personsAvoid prohibited Iran transactions and facilitationContinuing
Treasury / OFACIssue regulations, licenses and enforcement actionsContinuing
Other agenciesSupport export, customs and foreign-policy controlsContinuing

What happened next

EO 12957 restricted Iranian petroleum investment.

EO 12959 imposed broader trade and investment restrictions.

EO 13059 consolidated and clarified the program.