The DoJ had maintained that Total paid around $60 million in bribes between 1995 and 2004 to get contracts for two major Iranian oil and gas projects. After the deal, it had agreed not to prosecute the French group under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Massive cuts to Iran's generous subsidy regime could lead to significant popular unrest in the country in the coming weeks and months. The cuts, which coincide with the first day of the Iranian calendar, are necessary in order for the government to close the huge revenue gap brought on by the ratcheting up of international sanctions by the West. The potential unrest could push the Mullahs to work faster to resolve its nuclear issues with the West and finally focus on improving economic opportunity for their downtrodden citizens.