Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13846: Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Respect to Iran

President: Donald J. Trump

Reimposed and reorganized Iran-related sanctions after the United States left the nuclear agreement. Treasury and State received authority for specified blocking, banking and sectoral measures, subject to implementing rules and licenses.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13846 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13846 remains an operative Iran sanctions authority. OFAC’s 2026 designations expressly impose property-blocking measures under section 5(a)(iv), and current licenses refer to prohibitions under this order. Particular transactions must be assessed against the relevant designation, regulation, and any license; a limited license does not revoke the order. See OFAC — August 24, 2026 sanctions action; OFAC — Iran Sanctions.

What does Executive Order 13846 do?

Reimposed and consolidated specified Iran sanctions after U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement. It restored restrictions on energy, shipping, banking and other activities after the stated wind-down periods. Treasury OFAC expressly used EO 13846 for Iran-related designations in 2025 and 2026.

Later evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: Treasury OFAC listed new Iran-related designations expressly under EO 13846 in May 2026 and also used that authority in April 2025. OFAC FAQs 597 and 601 explain the reimposed and expanded sanctions framework; these entries show actual later use of the order. OFAC Iran-related designations.

Administration position: The stated directions and policy are summarized from the signed order. See the official text for its precise legal terms.
SignedAugust 6, 2018
IssuerPresident Donald J. Trump
TermFirst presidential term

Before and after

Before the order

Earlier Iran sanctions and the nuclear-agreement wind-down shaped restrictions before the reimposition order.

After the order

The order restored specified sanctions authorities; Treasury OFAC expressly used EO 13846 for later Iran-related designations in 2025 and 2026.

Who had to do what

Agency / officialWhat the signed order directedDeadline / timing
Secretary of the TreasuryIn consultation with State, determine persons subject to property blocking and foreign-bank account restrictions for the Iran-related conduct specified in sections 1, 2, 6, and 7; implement Treasury menu sanctions selected by State under section 3, including financing, transfers, property, investments, imports, and officers. Issue implementing rules and redelegate internally; implement CISADA section 104A.Order effective 12:01 a.m. EDT August 7, 2018. Sections 1–3 apply specified conduct thresholds of August 7 or November 5, 2018; section 6 uses August 7, 2018. No implementation-report deadline.
Secretary of StateDetermine persons eligible for menu sanctions under section 3 and select sanctions, consulting Treasury, Commerce, Homeland Security, the Trade Representative, Export-Import Bank president, Federal Reserve chair, and other appropriate officials. When selected, deny visas to sanctioned corporate officers, principals, or controlling shareholders.Specified automotive conduct begins August 7, 2018; petroleum and petrochemical conduct begins November 5, 2018. No fixed deadline for decisions.
Export-Import Bank Board of DirectorsWhen State selects this sanction, deny approval of guarantees, insurance, or credit connected with exports to the sanctioned person.No fixed deadline stated.
Federal export-licensing agenciesWhen selected, refuse the specific export or reexport licenses or other permissions required for transfers to the sanctioned person.No fixed deadline stated.
Chair of the Federal Reserve BoardWhen selected, deny or terminate the sanctioned financial institution’s primary-dealer designation. Consult with State on section 3 menu sanctions.No fixed deadline stated.
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkWhen selected, deny or terminate the sanctioned financial institution’s primary-dealer designation.No fixed deadline stated.
Secretary of Homeland SecurityWhen the visa sanction is selected, exclude the sanctioned corporate officer, principal, or controlling shareholder from the United States. Consult with State on section 3 menu sanctions.No fixed deadline stated.
Relevant agency headsImplement selected sanctions preventing a sanctioned financial institution from acting as a government agent or repository, barring federal procurement, or extending applicable menu sanctions to principal executive officers. All agencies must take appropriate implementation measures within their authority.No fixed deadline stated.
Secretary of CommerceConsult with State on designation and selection of the menu sanctions in section 3.No fixed deadline stated.
United States Trade RepresentativeConsult with State on designation and selection of the menu sanctions in section 3.No fixed deadline stated.
President of the Export-Import BankConsult with State on designation and selection of the menu sanctions in section 3.No fixed deadline stated.

Source: Signed Federal Register text.

What happened next

EO 13846 signed; its Federal Register publication followed.

Treasury OFAC listed new Iran-related designations expressly under EO 13846 in May 2026 and also used that authority in April 2025. OFAC FAQs 597 and 601 explain the reimposed and expanded sanctions framework; these entries show actual later use of the order.