April 21, 2021

In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, C&SN and over 40 organizations urged the administration to relieve sanctions on Iran that have been inhibiting humanitarian trade. Outlining the problem, the letter explains that “the suffering of people in Iran has been compounded by U.S. sanctions, which have impoverished the population and obstructed the flow of critical medicine and humanitarian goods into Iran.”

The letter highlights President Biden’s previous statements on the issue, such as his call for the former administration to streamline “channels for banking and public health assistance from other countries in response to the health emergency in Iran,” and his statement as a candidate that “the United States should take steps to offer what relief we can to those nations hardest hit by this virus — including Iran.”

Addressing the broader geopolitical context, the letter also argues that humanitarian relief should not be held hostage by broader disputes with Iran.

Read the full letter here.