Briefing Memorandum Regarding Iran Sanctions

This document is a December 12, 1979 Department of State Briefing Memorandum, providing an update on the Iran situation, specifically with regards to the Iran hostage crisis and sanctions.

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IIM insure 13C DEPARTMENT OF STATE BRIEFING MEMORANDUM S/S December 12, 1979 SECRET To: P - Mr. Newsom From: IO - Charles William Maynes Iran: Sanctions You asked for our thoughts on three questions: 1. Is it preferable Lto work for voluntary cooperation from our allies on sanctions against Iran, or should we try first for Chapter VII sanc- tions in the Security Council? 2. What would be the effect on our ability to obtain Chapter VII sanctions in the Council if we unilaterally lift Rhodesia sanctions? 3. Would it be possible to obtain a Security Council resolution or a statement by the President of the Security Council barring or discouraging the nationals of member states from participating in any international tribunal? Our views follow: 1. With regard to the first question, we must keep in mind that obtaining Chapter VII sanctions in the Council will be difficult and protacted in any case. As pointed out in our memorandum of December 6 , our basic problem is that unless and until the Iranian regime takes drastic steps against the hostages (trials or worse), the Council membership will be very reluctant to go along with any form of DECLASSIFIED SECRET Per, Rac Project GDS, 12/12/85 ESDN; NLC-6-32-4-18-6 BY. B NARA, DATE 5/18/2015