The Iran (Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2016

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order gives effect in specified Overseas Territories to sanctions in respect of Iran set out in United Nations Security Council resolution 2231 (2015) (“resolution 2231”) and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (“JCPOA”) annexed to that resolution. It also reflects the implementation of these sanctions by the European Union in Council Decision 2010/413/CFSP of 26 July 2010, as amended most recently by Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1863 of 18 October 2015 (“the 2015 Council Decision”), and Council Regulation (EU) No. 267/2012 of 23 March 2012, as amended most recently by Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1861 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1862, both of 18 October 2015 (“the 2015 Council Regulations”).

The JCPOA annexed to resolution 2231 provides for staged sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for Iran verifiably limiting its nuclear programme. The 2015 Council Decision and 2015 Council Regulations were adopted to reduce the restrictive measures against Iran consistent with the first stage of sanctions relief set out in the JCPOA and resolution 2231, and entered into force on 16th January 2016.

This Order revokes and replaces the Iran (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2012 to implement the revised package of sanctions in the Overseas Territories. The sanctions include the freezing of funds and economic resources of designated persons, as well as trade restrictions in respect of specified goods. The Order also makes provision for the Governor to license certain activities in line with exemptions under the sanctions regime.