No Iranian Energy Act is a bill that would broaden U.S. sanctions to explicitly cover natural gas involving Iran, with a focus on the Government of Iraq’s importation of Iranian natural gas. The bill elevates the status of natural gas within the Iran sanctions regime by amending the Iran Sanctions/IFCA framework, so that natural gas transactions—whether sold, supplied, or transferred to or from Iran—fall under sanctions, subject to any possible exceptions in section 1254. It also conveys a sense of Congress that Iran’s emerging gas sector should be a priority target for sanctions. In practical terms, if enacted, the United States could restrict or penalize Iraq’s (and potentially other entities’) import of Iranian natural gas, as well as broader natural gas trade with Iran, to pressure Iran’s energy sector and deter proliferation-related activities.
Key Points
- 1Short Title: The bill is titled the “No Iranian Energy Act.”
- 2Sense of Congress: The legislative body states its view that Iran’s emerging gas industry should be targeted for sanctions.
- 3Prohibition/Policy Scope: The bill amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA) to explicitly apply sanctions to natural gas, expanding sanctions coverage beyond other Iranian sectors.
- 4Specific Amendments:
- 5- Section 1244(h) is amended to say sanctions apply to the sale, supply, or transfer to or from Iran of natural gas, with exceptions to be defined in section 1254.
- 6- Section 1247(e) is amended similarly to apply to the sale, supply, or transfer to or from Iran of natural gas, with the same caveat about section 1254.
- 7Targeted Import Context: The bill’s title and framing indicate a focus on prohibiting or sanctioning the Government of Iraq’s importation of Iranian natural gas, thereby using Iraq as a leverage point to restrict Iran’s gas exports.