**Executive Summary:**
Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1050 amends Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran. This decision extends the temporary suspension of certain restrictive measures against Iran until July 7, 2015, to allow for continued negotiations toward a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The suspensions relate to the transport and insurance of Iranian crude oil, trade in petrochemical products, gold, and precious metals, and revised authorization thresholds for financial transfers.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Extension of Suspensions:**
* The suspension of specific restrictive measures against Iran is extended until July 7, 2015.
* Relevant contracts must be executed by July 7, 2015.
* **Suspended Prohibitions (until July 7, 2015):**
* Prohibition on the transport of Iranian crude oil (Article 3a(1)).
* Prohibition on providing insurance and reinsurance for the import, purchase, or transport of Iranian crude oil (Article 3a(2)).
* Prohibition on the import, purchase, or transport of Iranian petrochemical products and related services (Article 3b).
* Prohibition on trade in gold and precious metals with the Government of Iran, its public bodies, the Central Bank of Iran, or entities acting on their behalf (Article 4c).
* Prohibitions related to the Ministry of Petroleum listed in Annex II (Articles 20(1)(b), 20(1)(c), and 20(2)), as necessary for executing contracts for importing or purchasing Iranian petrochemical products.
* Prohibitions set out in Article 18b.
* **Financial Transfer Authorizations (until July 7, 2015):**
* **Transactions without Prior Authorization:** Transfers for foodstuffs, healthcare, medical equipment, agricultural or humanitarian purposes below EUR 1,000,000, and personal remittances below EUR 400,000, do not require prior authorization. Transfers above EUR 10,000 must be notified to the relevant Member State's competent authority. (Article 10(3)(a)) and Article 10(4)(b).
* **Transactions Requiring Prior Authorization:** Transfers for foodstuffs, healthcare, medical equipment, agricultural or humanitarian purposes above EUR 1,000,000, and personal remittances above EUR 400,000, require prior authorization from the relevant Member State's competent authority. Any other transfer above EUR 100,000 requires prior authorization. (Article 10(3)(b) and (c)). Transfers above EUR 400,000 require prior authorisation. The authorisation shall be deemed granted within four weeks unless the competent authority of the Member State concerned has objected within that timelimit. The relevant Member State shall inform the other Member States of any authorisation rejected.(Article 10(4)(c)).
* Member States must inform other Member States of granted authorizations.
**Impact Analysis**
* **EU Businesses Involved in Trade with Iran:**
* *Impact:* The extension of suspended restrictions allows EU businesses to continue specific trade activities with Iran related to crude oil, petrochemicals, gold, and precious metals until July 7, 2015. They can also continue to conduct specific financial transfers based on revised authorization thresholds.
* *Action Required:* Ensure all relevant contracts are executed by July 7, 2015. Adhere to the revised authorization thresholds for financial transfers. Notify Member State competent authorities of applicable transfers.
* **EU Member State Competent Authorities:**
* *Impact:* Member States' competent authorities are responsible for overseeing financial transfers to and from Iran, including notification and authorization processes.
* *Action Required:* Process notifications and authorization requests for financial transfers according to the revised thresholds and timelines, informing other Member States of granted or rejected authorizations, where applicable.
* **Iranian Entities:**
* *Impact:* Iranian entities involved in the crude oil, petrochemical, and precious metals sectors benefit from the continued suspension of trade restrictions, facilitating international commerce.
* *Action Required:* Execute relevant contracts with EU partners by July 7, 2015.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
Iran: A country in Western Asia, subject to restrictive measures outlined in the decision.
Council Decision CFSP 2015/1050: The specific Council Decision being enacted, amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP.
Decision 2010/413/CFSP: Council Decision concerning restrictive measures against Iran, which is repeatedly amended by subsequent decisions.
Joint Plan of Action: An agreement between Iran and the E3+3 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) regarding the Iranian nuclear program.
China: One of the countries (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) that reached an agreement with Iran on a Joint Plan of Action.
France: One of the countries (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) that reached an agreement with Iran on a Joint Plan of Action.
Germany: One of the countries (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) that reached an agreement with Iran on a Joint Plan of Action.
L 170/2 EN Official Journal of the European Union 1.7.2015
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2015/1050
of 30 June 2015
amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) On 26 July 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/413/CFSP (1) concerning restrictive measures against Iran.
(2) On 24 November 2013, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United
States, supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reached an
agreement with Iran on a Joint Plan of Action which sets out an approach towards reaching a long-term compre
hensive solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. It was agreed that the process leading to this comprehensive
solution would include, as a first step, initial mutually-agreed measures to be taken by both sides for a duration
of six months and renewable by mutual consent.
(3) As part of this first step, Iran would undertake a number of voluntary measures as specified in the Joint Plan of
Action. In return, a number of voluntary measures would be undertaken which would include, for the Union, the
suspension of restrictive measures concerning the prohibition on the provision of insurance and reinsurance and
transport for Iranian crude oil, the prohibition on the import, purchase or transport of Iranian petrochemical
products and on the provision of related services, and the prohibition on trade in gold and precious metals with
the Government of Iran, its public bodies and the Central Bank of Iran, or persons and entities acting on their
behalf. The suspension of those restrictive measures would last for a duration of six months during which the
relevant contracts would have to be executed.
(4) Furthermore, the Joint Plan of Action also foresees a 10-fold increase of the authorisation thresholds in relation
to the transfers of funds to and from Iran.
(5) On 20 January 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/21/CFSP (2) amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP in
order to implement the provisions concerning the Union restrictive measures contained in the Joint Plan of
Action.
(6) On 19 July 2014, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States,
supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, agreed with Iran to
extend the implementation of the measures of the Joint Plan of Action until 24 November 2014.
(7) On 21 July 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/480/CFSP (3) amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP in order
to extend the provisions concerning the Union restrictive measures contained in the Joint Plan of Action.
(8) On 24 November 2014, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United
States, supported by the EU coordinator and negotiator for the E3/EU+3 group in the Iran nuclear negotiations,
agreed with Iran to extend the implementation of the measures of the Joint Plan of Action until 30 June 2015.
(1) OJ L 195, 27.7.2010, p. 39.
(2) Council Decision 2014/21/CFSP of 20 January 2014 amending Council Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures
against Iran (OJ L 15, 20.1.2014, p. 22).
(3) Council Decision 2014/480/CFSP of 21 July 2014 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Iran
(OJ L 215, 21.7.2014, p. 4).1.7.2015 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 170/3
(9) On 25 November 2014, the Council adopted Decision 2014/829/CFSP (1) amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP in
order to extend the provisions concerning the Union restrictive measures contained in the Joint Plan of Action.
(10) On 2 April 2015, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States,
supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reached solutions on
the key parameters of a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, laying the basis for the final text, including its
technical details, to be agreed by 30 June 2015.
(11) On 30 June 2015, China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States,
supported by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, agreed with Iran to
extend the implementation of the measures of the Joint Plan of Action until 7 July 2015 to allow time for
continuing the negotiation with a view to reaching an agreement on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.
(12) The suspension of the Union restrictive measures specified in the Joint Plan of Action should therefore be
extended until 7 July 2015. Relevant contracts would have to be executed within that date.
(13) Decision 2010/413/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Article 26a of Decision 2010/413/CFSP is replaced by the following:
‘Article 26a
1. The prohibition set out in Article 3a(1) shall be suspended until 7 July 2015 in so far as it concerns the
transport of Iranian crude oil.
2. The prohibition set out in Article 3a(2) shall be suspended until 7 July 2015 in so far as it concerns the
provision of insurance and reinsurance, related to the import, purchase, or transport of Iranian crude oil.
3. The prohibition set out in Article 3b shall be suspended until 7 July 2015.
4. The prohibition set out in Article 4c shall be suspended until 7 July 2015 in so far as it concerns gold and
precious metals.
5. Article 10(3)(a), (b) and (c) are replaced by the following points until 7 July 2015:
“(a) transfers due on transactions regarding foodstuffs, healthcare, medical equipment, or for agricultural or
humanitarian purposes below EUR 1 000 000, as well as transfers regarding personal remittances, below
EUR 400 000, shall be carried out without any prior authorisation. The transfer shall be notified to the
competent authority of the Member State concerned if above EUR 10 000;
(b) transfers due on transactions regarding foodstuffs, healthcare, medical equipment, or for agricultural or
humanitarian purposes above EUR 1 000 000, as well as transfers regarding personal remittances, above
EUR 400 000, shall require the prior authorisation from the competent authority of the Member State
concerned. The relevant Member State shall inform the other Member States of any authorisation granted;
(c) any other transfer above EUR 100 000 shall require the prior authorisation from the competent authority
of the Member State concerned. The relevant Member State shall inform the other Member States of any
authorisation granted.”.
(1) Council Decision 2014/829/CFSP of 25 November 2014 amending Decision 2010/413/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against
Iran (OJ L 338, 25.11.2014, p. 1).L 170/4 EN Official Journal of the European Union 1.7.2015
6. Article 10(4)(b) and (c) are replaced by the following points until 7 July 2015:
“(b) any other transfer below EUR 400 000 shall be carried out without any prior authorisation. The transfer shall
be notified to the competent authority of the Member State concerned if above EUR 10 000;
(c) any other transfer above EUR 400 000 shall require the prior authorisation from the competent authority of
the Member State concerned. The authorisation shall be deemed granted within four weeks unless the
competent authority of the Member State concerned has objected within that time-limit. The relevant Member
State shall inform the other Member States of any authorisation rejected.”.
7. The prohibitions set out in Article 18b shall be suspended until 7 July 2015.
8. The prohibitions set out in Article 20(1)(b) and (c) and in Article 20(2) to the Ministry of Petroleum, listed in
Annex II, shall be suspended until 7 July 2015, in so far as necessary for the execution, until 7 July 2015, of contracts
for the import or purchase of Iranian petrochemical products.’.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels, 30 June 2015.
For the Council
The President
E. RINKĒVIČS