US Should Ease Ability of Industry to Export Humanitarian Goods to Iran, Biden Says

The Trump administration should issue “broad licenses” to medical companies and create dedicated channels for industry to export medical goods to Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic, former Vice President Joe Biden said April 2. Although the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control already has broad general licenses that allow exemptions for humanitarian exports, Biden said they are not effective. “In practice, most governments and organizations are too concerned about running afoul of U.S. sanctions to offer assistance,” Biden said. “As a result, our sanctions are limiting Iran’s access to medical supplies and needed equipment.”

Biden said the U.S. should issue licenses to pharmaceutical and medical device companies and create channels for banks and transportation companies to help Iranians import virus-fighting goods. The administration should issue new sanctions guidance to help industry and aid organizations in understanding how they can “immediately, directly, and legally respond to the tragedy in Iran, without fear of penalty,” Biden said. The U.S. should also reassure companies already exporting to Iran that “they will not be subject to U.S. sanctions if they engage in humanitarian trade with Iran to support its COVID-19 response.” Biden’s comments came days after more than 30 U.S. lawmakers urged the administration to suspend Iran sanctions (see 2004010019).