H.R. 8220 — NOPE Act

This section nullifies Iran-related General License U issued by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which authorizes the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Iranian origin loaded on vessels as of March 20, 2026. It further prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing any transactions otherwise prohibited by law that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the sale, delivery, or offloading of Iranian crude oil or petroleum products.

This section requires the President, not later than 30 days after enactment, to impose sanctions on any Iranian person that engages in (1) oil and gas extraction, (2) oil and gas refinement or production, or (3) maritime transportation of oil and gas or other petroleum products. The sanctions are asset blocking—using all powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) notwithstanding IEEPA's national emergency declaration requirement (50 U.S.C. 1701)—and visa restrictions, including inadmissibility to the United States, ineligibility for visas or parole, and revocation of existing visas with immediate effect that automatically cancels other entry documents. (As background, IEEPA authorizes the President to regulate international economic transactions, block assets, and impose other sanctions upon declaration of a national emergency for an unusual and extraordinary foreign threat.) The section provides exceptions for compliance with U.S. international obligations (e.g., UN Headquarters Agreement), humanitarian assistance transactions (e.g., agricultural commodities, food, medicine), and authorized U.S. intelligence, law enforcement, or national security activities; authorizes IEEPA implementation powers (50 U.S.C. 1702, 1704); applies IEEPA civil and criminal penalties (50 U.S.C. 1705); and permits ex parte, in camera submission of classified information in any judicial review.

This section directs the Secretary of State, in consultation with other federal agencies as appropriate, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees (i.e., Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Energy and Natural Resources; House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Energy and Commerce) a report on the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Iranian oil—not later than 30 days after enactment and every 60 days thereafter for three years. Each report must analyze the impact of OFAC General License U (authorizing the delivery and sale of Iranian-origin crude oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of March 20, 2026, and any extensions or successors) on (1) the volume and sale price of Iranian crude and refined oil product exports, (2) revenue earned by the Iranian government or state-affiliated entities from such exports (including any premium from the Strait closure), and (3) Iranian oil production levels as of April 2026.