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Home - United States Embassy Bern, Switzerland About UsU.S. Citizen ServicesVisas to the U.S.U.S. Policy & IssuesStudy in the U.S.Trade & Commerce Embassy Highlights 28 March 2008 - Frequently Asked Questions regarding EGL’s Iran Gas Contract United States Embassy Bern Question: Does the EGL deal violate UN sanctions Answer: Deals such as the reported EGL agreement undermine the concept reflected in the P-5-plus-1 proposal of offering enhanced economic engagement as inducements for Iranian compliance. The P-5-plus-1 provides opportunities for political, security and economic benefits to Iran and to the region. We have conveyed to the Swiss Government that major new oil and gas deals with Iran send precisely the wrong message at a time when Iran continues to defy UNSC resolutions requiring it to suspend enrichment-related, reprocessing and heavy water activities. For more information on the three UNSC resolutions: http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/site/c.glKWLeMTIsG/b.2733229/ Does the EGL deal violate the U.S. Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) The Department of State closely reviews any information about these types of deals with Iran in light of the ISA. In addition, deals such as the EGL agreement undermine the concept reflected in the P-5-plus-1 proposal of offering enhanced economic engagement as inducements for Iranian compliance If the contract is found to violate ISA, what will the US do We don’t comment on hypothetical situations. For more information on ISA, please see http://treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/iran/iran.pdf Is the United States actively investigating whether the contract violates ISA The Department of State is reviewing this contract as it relates to ISA. As of now, we have not received a response to our request for a copy of the contract. What are your specific concerns regarding the contract Why do you refer to the contract as undermining the concept or the spirit of UN sanctions We...