Immortals
Elite Member
the MOU refers to the lifting of all sanctions, including primary sanctions. the JCPOA only lifted secondary sanctions. so this new deal, while based on the JCPOA, seems to go much further (possibly in both ways).
The US president cannot lift primary sanctions on Iran. He can offer waivers to suspend enforcement for national security reasons and offer targeted exemptions like JCPOA did with Boeing sales and other items. But major U.S. companies aren’t going to invest in Iran based on waivers that can be stopped at any moment.
Iran knew this during JCPOA days as Obama made it clear he didn’t have the votes for a treaty. So Iran expected secondary sanctions removal to be enough to entice the Europeans to invest (which they didn’t).
The US embargo on Iran and federal laws like Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) and Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act (CISADA) would need Congress approval to be repealed.
Maybe Trump thinks he can round up the votes, but seems unlikely unless this becomes a Treaty. If Iran thinks permanent removal of primary sanctions are happening in 60 days (or anytime soon) they are fooling themselves. At best Trump can waive and water down enforcement vis a vi the Treasury.
But none of that will encourage any serious multinational company to jump into Iran. Which was the problem with JCPOA from the onset - lack of foreign investment.










