ExecutiveOrdersEO
Notice 12957NoticeG.W. Bush · R Quiet signal

Presidential Notice 12957

Continuation of Iran Emergency

President Bush continued the national emergency with respect to Iran that was first declared by President Clinton on March 15, 1995, under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The continuation extends sanctions and emergency authorities beyond their March 15, 2001 expiration date based on ongoing concerns about Iran's support for terrorism, efforts to undermine Middle East peace, and weapons of mass destruction programs.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 15013

Impact dates

  1. Prior emergency expiration date; continuation takes effect to prevent lapse

Key directives

  • Continue national emergency with respect to Iran beyond March 15, 2001
  • Publish notice in Federal Register
  • Transmit notice to Congress

Timeline

Immediate

  • National emergency with respect to Iran continues beyond March 15, 2001
  • Existing sanctions under EO 12957, 12959, and 13059 remain in force

Near term (90d)

  • Notice to be published in Federal Register
  • Notice transmitted to Congress

Long term

  • Sanctions regime continues indefinitely pending future presidential action
  • Emergency subject to annual renewal requirement under National Emergencies Act

Risks & tensions

  • Perpetuation of sanctions without congressional action raises separation of powers questions
  • Distinction from 1979 hostage crisis emergency suggests layered, overlapping emergency authorities complicate legal oversight
  • Annual renewal mechanism creates procedural regularity but limited substantive debate
Presidential Notice 12957: Continuation of Iran Emergency · Executive Orders