The Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations and Consular Rights between the United States and Iran was signed in Tehran on 15 August 1955. The plenipotentiaries were Selden Chapin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States, and Mostafa Samiy, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. Twenty-three articles, in English and Persian. It is not a Second World War peace treaty, and it is not the 2015 JCPOA nuclear agreement.

Article I: firm and enduring peace and sincere friendship. Article II: nationals of either Party may enter, remain, travel and reside in the territories of the other, with freedom of conscience and philanthropic, educational and scientific activities, subject to public order. Articles III–VI: recognition of companies, protection of property, purchase or lease of property, and rules on taxation, including the avoidance of double taxation — a framework, not a tax handbook.

Articles VII–XI: exchange restrictions only in limited cases or as approved by the IMF; import, export, freedom of commerce and navigation; non-discrimination in government contracts. Articles XII–XIX: the exchange of diplomats, consular treatment, immunities, and the right of nationals to visit their consulate — a principle, not a consular handbook.

Article XX reserves matters outside the Treaty. Article XXI: disputes as to interpretation or application may be submitted to the International Court of Justice. Article XXII replaces earlier treaties between the Parties. Article XXIII: ratification, exchange of instruments at Tehran; entry into force one month after the exchange — 16 June 1957, after the exchange of 16 May; an initial term of ten years, thereafter until terminated on one year’s written notice.

The Treaty has served as a jurisdictional basis in several ICJ cases. In October 2018, after a Court ruling concerning sanctions, the United States gave notice of termination.

Cover: Golestan Palace in Tehran, a state residence in the years of signature; we do not claim the signing room. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations and Consular Rights; Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights (U.S. Department of State, TIAS 3853).