A/HRC/43/20 specifically, that they might endanger human life and health. The Court ordered the United States, inter alia, to remove measures that impeded exportation to the Islamic Republic of Iran of (i) medicines and medical devices; (ii) foodstuffs and agricultural commodities; and (iii) equipment and services for the safety of civil aviation. Furthermore, the Court ordered both States to refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve. Proceedings in this case were ongoing as at November 2019.120 54. Since November 2018, the United States has maintained that existing exceptions, authorizations, and licensing policies for humanitarian-related transactions and safety of flight would remain in effect under the applicable sanctions regime. 121 The complex regulatory process and due diligence requirements, limited access to non-sanctioned banking services and shortages of foreign currency have combined to limit the possibility of payments to foreign companies, including for humanitarian transactions.122 The private sector has demonstrated overcompliance,123 to avoid potential penalties, reputational damage and liability associated with conducting business with the Islamic Republic of Iran. For most banks, even licensed humanitarian organizations would not generate sufficient profit to justify the risks of engagement with the country. 55. The designation, in September 2019, of the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran124 on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of the United States Treasury, for financing of foreign groups, blocked in practice the only entity able to provide the foreign currency needed to import humanitarian items. In parallel, United States officials announced the establishment of a humanitarian channel in exchange for a commitment by banks to enhance their due diligence.125 The requirements imposed on financial institutions for information on customers and intermediaries, as well as for monthly statements of correspondents’ accounts,126 raise concerns that banks will either be reluctant to provide the required information or may be unable to do so. 127 According to experts, the measure may further obstruct the ability to purchase food and medicine. 128 56. The Secretary-General remains concerned that banking restrictions hamper United Nations and humanitarian operations in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent Society confirmed129 that it had been unable to receive overseas donor funding 130 or funding from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,131 including 3 million euros of pledged cash assistance.132 The impact was particularly visible in the context of the March 2019 floods, 133 which left 10 million people dependent on 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 See www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/164/164-20190213-SUM-01-00-EN.pdf; and www.icjcij.org/files/case-related/164/164-20190215-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf. See www.state.gov/remarks-to-the-media-3/. See www.bourseandbazaar.com/news-1/2019/10/29/us-sanctions-threaten-iranians-right-to-healthhrw. See www.ipinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1906_Sanctions-and-Humanitarian-Action.pdf. See https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm780. See https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm804. See www.hrw.org/report/2019/10/29/maximum-pressure/us-economic-sanctions-harm-iranians-righthealth. See www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/10/sanctions-us-treasury-inhibit-humanitarian-aidiran.html; and www.france24.com/en/20191025-us-seeks-data-on-iran-humanitarian-sales. See www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/10/sanctions-us-treasury-inhibit-humanitarian-aidiran.html; https://twitter.com/richardmnephew/status/1187745702585274368?s=11; and https://twitter.com/brianoftoole/status/1187744432864579584?s=11. See https://mehrnews.com/news/4671262/ (in Farsi). See www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-floods-redcrescent/flood-hit-iran-getting-no-financial-aid-fromabroad-due-to-u-s-sanctions-statement-idUSKCN1RJ0GY; and www.voanews.com/middleeast/iranian-red-crescent-flood-hit-iran-getting-no-financial-aid-abroad-due-us-sanctions. See https://isna.ir/news/98011002883/ (in Farsi). See www.irna.ir/news/83393339/ (in Farsi). See www.swissinfo.ch/eng/reuters/president-rouhani-inspects-flood-damage-in-northerniran/44855208. 15