The Justice Department announced Thursday that Dominican Republic authorities seized a Dassault Falcon 2000EX aircraft used by Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), the sanctioned Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural-gas company, at the request of the U.S. government based on violations of U.S. export control and sanctions laws. The Justice Department previously announced in September 2024 the seizure of a Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft in the Dominican Republic that was owned and operated for the benefit of Nicolás Maduro Moros and persons affiliated with him in Venezuela.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on an international oil smuggling network that has facilitated the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This action aligns with the February 4 National Security Presidential Memorandum, which mandates maximum economic pressure on Iran to prevent its nuclear advancement and regional destabilization.
Tuesday February 4th the White House issued a National Security Memorandum (NSM) directing multiple federal agencies to impose maximum pressure on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The memorandum outlines aggressive measures aimed at denying Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon, countering its regional influence, and disrupting its financial and military networks. The document, addressed to senior U.S. officials including the Secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, and Homeland Security, mandates immediate actions to intensify economic, diplomatic, and law enforcement measures against Iran.
January 27, Canada announced it is imposing new sanctions against 10 individuals and 12 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations in response to ongoing gross and systematic human rights violations committed by the Lukashenko regime in Belarus, as well as its support of Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. These sanctions are being announced in coordination with the United Kingdom. Customarily, such announcements are coordinated with US sanctions authorities in the Departments of State and Treasury., but action in Washington was lacking
OFAC is sanctioning Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (Burhan), the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098, “Imposing Sanctions on Certain Persons Destabilizing Sudan and Undermining the Goal of a Democratic Transition.” This action follows the designation of the leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa , on January 7, 202 .[13310]. In addition, OFAC is sanctioning one company and one individual involved in weapons procurement on behalf of the Defense Industries System (DIS), a procurement arm of the SAF that OFAC sanctioned in June 2023.
The United States today designated eight individuals who organized and executed the commemoration of Republika Srpska (RS) Day on January 8-10, 2024 in support of RS President Milorad Dodik’s secessionist agenda. Seven of those sanctioned today also helped plan and organize the 2025 commemoration. RS commemorations have been determined to be unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court. Directed and overseen by Dodik, they are emblematic of Dodik’s longstanding efforts to undermine the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, a cornerstone for regional peace and security.
In a move some read as an effort to "Trump Proof" the Treasury's Russian sanctions regime, OFAC is re-designating pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13662 almost 100 entities already designated pursuant to E.O. 14024. This codification provides legislative backing, making it more difficult for any administration to unilaterally lift these sanctions. This move places the sanctions under rules governed by the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). CAATSA, enacted in 2017, codified and expanded existing sanctions imposed by executive orders, including E.O. 13662. As a result of these entities’ designation pursuant to E.O. 13662, foreign persons, including foreign financial institutions, that knowingly facilitate significant transactions for or on behalf of any of these entities could be subject to mandatory secondary sanctions under the Ukraine-/Russia-related sanctions program.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has published its Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI). The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlines a framework for collaboration to strengthen their shared mission of enforcing and promoting compliance with economic and trade sanctions
United States President Joe Biden signed an executive order amending existing sanctions measures targeting individuals and groups involved in "ongoing attempts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the Western Balkans." The sanctions were imposed in response to activities that undermine post-war agreements and institutions, as well as serious forms of corruption that undermine the rule of law and trust in democratic institutions. In November the Administration sanctioned parties involved in "destabilizing activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. "
New US sanctions will add nearly 200 more Russian ships, and two of the principal Russian maritime insurers New US sanctions add nearly 200 more Russian ships, two oil producers and two of the principal Russian maritime insurers to efforts to restrict Russian oil revenues. The new sanctions affect producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz and insurers Ingosstrakh and Alfastrakhovanie, which insure much of Russia's "shadow fleet" of tankers. Also included are "opaque traders of Russian oil" and two UAE-based ship managers. Restrictions on the provision of oil services in Russia may finally impact the flourishing Russian trade of Houston oil services firm SLB.
OFAC has sanctioned a senior Hungarian government official, for his involvement in corruption in Hungary. Antal Rogan is Minister in Charge of Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s Cabinet Office. Rogan controls many government entities, including the National Communications Office, the Digital Government Agency, and the Hungarian Tourism Agency.
January 7, OFAC sanctioned the leader of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and a complex of related Emirati trading firms responsible for supply and succor to the RSF, one of the Sudanese war’s primary belligerents. "Through its campaign in Darfur, Gezira, and other combat areas, the RSF has committed a litany of documented war crimes and atrocities, including ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence as a weapon of war. As the overall commander of the RSF, Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa bears command responsibility for the abhorrent and illegal actions of his forces," the OFAC announcement read.
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued Syria General License 24, "Authorizing Transactions with Governing Institutions in Syria and Certain Transactions Related to Energy and Personal Remittances." Additionally, OFAC has also issued eight new Syria Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs 1205 - 1212), and one amended Syria Frequently Asked Question (FAQ 227).
OFAC is designating a subordinate organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and a Moscow-based affiliate organization of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and its director pursuant to the U.S. election interference authority. As affiliates of the IRGC and GRU, "these actors aimed to stoke socio-political tensions and influence the U.S. electorate during the 2024 U.S. election," according to a Treasury statement.
OFAC announced a $22,172 settlement with a a New York aviation supplies distributior to settle its potential civil liability for six apparent violations of OFAC sanctions related to Russia’s aerospace and technology sectors. In 2024, SkyGeek Logistics, Inc. attempted two refunds and sent four shipments to two Specially Designated Nationals in the United Arab Emirates sanctioned in connection with these sectors. The settlement amount reflects OFAC's determination that the apparent violations were non-egregious and that certain of its conduct was voluntarily self-disclosed.
On December 27, 2024, OFAC designated Bidzina Ivanishvili pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, placing sanctions on the 67 year old billionaire and political figure. One of the wealthiest individuals in Georgia, Ivanisvilli founded the Georgian Dream Coalition in 2011 and served as Goeria's Prime Minister from October 2012 to November 2013. Despite his professed retirement from politics, he remains influential. Although transactions or other dealings involving Ivanishvili are generally prohibited as a result of OFAC's designation, OFAC concurrently issued General License (GL) 116 authorizing U.S. persons to engage in all transactions with any entity owned 50% or more by Ivanishvili provided that such entity is not identified on the SDN List.
The widely touted US sanctions on Gaszprombank issued in November have been watered down as the White House yielded to pressure from Turkish and Hungarian leaders and issued waivers. The Kremlin's chief payments conduit for gas sales to the West can continue to trade with Budapest and Ankara, in a material concession by Washington.
Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is releasing the third video in its "OFAC Basics" video series, "Applying for a License to Release Blocked Funds." This video provides viewers with guidance and the recommended steps for how to submit a specific license application for the release of blocked funds. The “OFAC Basics” series serves as a companion series to the "Introduction to the OFAC" series.
The Justice Department announced the unsealing of a superseding indictment against a Russian national, charged with conspiracy and violations of U.S. sanctions for assisting sanctioned Russian media baron and businessman Konstantin Malofeyev. The indictment alleges that Alexey Komov. conspired with Malofeyev to recruit and employ an American citizen, John Hanick, to assist in the creation and operation of a Russian television network. Komov also allegedly worked with Malofeyev, Hanick, and others to unlawfully transfer a $10 million investment Malofeyev held in a U.S. bank to a Greek business associate. This transfer violated U.S. sanctions blocking Malofeyev’s assets.
The United States Department of Justice announced the filing of a civil forfeiture complaint to seize over $3.4 million in proceeds from the sale of a Southern California music studio owned by Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. Mr. Deripaska acquired the Burbank music studio in 2008 through shell companies. After his 2018 designation as a Specially Designated National (SDN), Deripaska’s associates facilitated the sale of the studio and its contents, generating proceeds that were allegedly funneled through a series of transactions designed to evade sanctions.