Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 10/2009

Cracking Down on Iran's Illicit Trade

Michael Jacobson

August 2009

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Abstract

On August 13, President Barack Obama announced that his administration was reviewing the U.S. export control system to determine what reforms were needed to bring the regime up to date. Although the United States has stepped up its enforcement efforts in this area over the past several years -- particularly in terms of illegal exports of goods and services to Iran -- the system remains in need of further improvement. Strengthening the export control regime to prevent Iran from easily circumventing U.S. and international sanctions should be a key part of this important review.