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Notice 12957NoticeBiden · D Quiet signal

Presidential Notice 12957

Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Iran

President Biden continued for one year the national emergency with respect to Iran first declared in 1995 under Executive Order 12957, citing ongoing threats from Iran's weapons programs, regional aggression, support for terrorist groups, and activities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This is a routine annual renewal required by the National Emergencies Act, distinct from the separate 1979 hostage crisis emergency.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 13621

Impact dates

  1. Next required renewal decision for national emergency

Key directives

  • Continue national emergency with respect to Iran for 1 year beyond March 15, 2021
  • Publish notice in Federal Register
  • Transmit notice to Congress

Timeline

Immediate

  • National emergency continues in effect beyond March 15, 2021
  • Existing sanctions authorities under IEEPA remain active

Near term (90d)

  • Annual congressional notification completed
  • Federal Register publication of notice

Long term

  • Emergency subject to next renewal by March 15, 2022
  • Ongoing sanctions enforcement and potential new designations under maintained authorities

Risks & tensions

  • Routine procedural renewal masks layered complexity of competing executive orders (revocations and reimpositions across administrations)
  • Distinction drawn from 1979 hostage crisis emergency suggests legal carefulness but also potential confusion in emergency authorities
  • No policy change signaled—continuity with Trump-era Iran pressure framework despite Biden's stated diplomatic interests
Presidential Notice 12957: Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Iran · Executive Orders