Iraq Sanctions
IQIraq is currently subject to 10 active sanctions programs imposed by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, European Union Council, Ministry of Finance Japan, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. These measures include asset freeze, travel ban, arms embargo, trade restrictions, financial restrictions and other. This page lists every program targeting Iraq, the legal bases behind them, and the most recent changes.
Last updated 12 Jun 2026
Programs
10
Authorities
9
Restriction Types
6
Restrictions
Sanctioning Authorities
Sanctions Programs
UN Iraq sanctions regime. Total designated: 75 (65 individuals, 10 entities).
Resources
A financial and trade embargo was adopted by the UN Security Council in 1990 after the invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 by the military forces of Iraq (see Resolution 661 (1990)). Recognising and welcoming the efforts made by Iraq to form a government based on the rule of law that affords equal rights and justice to all Iraqi citizens, on 22 May 2003 the Security Council lifted all restrictive measures against Iraq, except for the arms embargo (see Resolution 1483 (2003)). Currently, only specific restrictions apply in the areas of trade in goods belonging to Iraq’s cultural heritage and an asset freeze specifically targeting former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, his immediate family, and senior officials of his regime. Adopted by: UN.
Resources
Sanctions targeting Iraq. Total designated: 89 individuals, 212 entities.
Resources
Sanctions program targeting persons who threaten stabilization efforts in Iraq, including blocking property of certain persons undermining peace and stability in Iraq. Originally implemented comprehensive sanctions against Iraq following the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, the program has evolved through multiple executive orders. The currently operative authorities focus on protecting Iraq's stability and development.
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+21 more
75 designated entities (65 individuals, 10 entities). Designation sources: UN. Earliest designation: 2004-06-02. Latest update: 2022-01-25.
Resources
336 designated entities (248 individuals, 88 entities). Designation sources: UN. Earliest designation: 2019-05-01. Latest update: 2022-05-31.
Resources
Swiss sanctions targeting Iraq. Total designated: 294 (86 individuals, 208 entities).
Resources
UK sanctions regime targeting designated persons and military goods connected with Iraq, implementing UN obligations. Also covers illegally removed Iraqi cultural property.
Resources
Sanctions regime concerning Iraq. 75 designations (65 individuals, 10 entities).
Resources
Countries classified as conflict-affected under the World Bank FCS framework
Recent Changes
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 2 Regulation(s), 5 Federal Register Notice(s), 3 General License(s), 4 UNSCR(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 4 Interpretive Guidance(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Iraq-Related Sanctions
Legal bases changed
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 5 Federal Register Notice(s), 2 Code of Federal Regulations(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 3 General License(s), 4 Interpretive Guidance(s), 4 UN Security Council Resolution(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: travel_ban
Target countries updated
Added: IQ, SY
UN Iraq Sanctions (1518) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Iraq Sanctions (Committee 1518)" to "UN Iraq Sanctions (1518)"
New program: World Bank FCS — Conflict-Affected
New sanctions program detected: World Bank FCS — Conflict-Affected
Iraq sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Iraq sanctions" to "Iraq sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Iraq sanctions regime
Added: Sanctions Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Restrictions added
Added: travel_ban
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 5 Federal Register Notice(s), 2 Code of Federal Regulations(s), 3 UN Security Council Resolution(s), 3 General License(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s)
UN Iraq Sanctions (Committee 1518) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Iraq Sanctions" to "UN Iraq Sanctions (Committee 1518)"
Restrictions removed
Removed: trade_restrictions
UN Iraq Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1518) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Iraq Sanctions Committee" to "UN Iraq Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1518)"
Resources added
Added: 1 resolution(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Iraq-Related Sanctions
Added: UNSCR 687
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 13 Federal Register Notice(s), 3 General License(s), 4 UNSCR(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 4 Interpretive Guidance(s)
Iraq sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Iraq sanctions regime" to "Iraq sanctions"
Legal basis updated for Iraq sanctions
Removed: Sanctions Act 2018
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s), 1 designations_list(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions, travel_ban
Legal basis updated for OFAC Iraq-Related Sanctions
Removed: UNSCR 687
Resources added
Added: 7 executive_order(s), 2 regulation(s), 8 federal_register_notice(s), 3 general_license(s), 1 sanctions_brochure(s), 1 faq(s), 4 guidance(s)
Restrictive measures on Iraq renamed
Program renamed from "EU Restrictive Measures against Iraq" to "Restrictive measures on Iraq"
Legal basis updated for Restrictive measures on Iraq
Added: Common Position on Iraq and repealing Common Positions 96/741/CFSP and 2002/599/CFSP, Council Regulation concerning certain specific restrictions on economic and financial relations with Iraq and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2465/96, Council Regulation prohibiting the satisfying of Iraqi claims with regard to contracts and transactions the performance of which was affected by United Nations Security Council Resolution 661 (1990) and related resolutions, Resolution 1546 (2004). Removed: 1210/2003 (OJ L169)
Resources added
Added: 4 statute(s), 1 advisory(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: travel_ban
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 5 Federal Register Notice(s), 3 General License(s), 3 UN Security Council Resolution(s), 2 Code of Federal Regulations(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: comprehensive
UN Iraq Sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "UN Iraq Sanctions (1518)" to "UN Iraq Sanctions"
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 2 Regulation(s), 3 General License(s), 5 Federal Register Notice(s), 4 UN Security Council Resolution(s)
Restrictions added
Added: comprehensive
Legal basis updated for OFAC Iraq-Related Sanctions
Removed: UNSCR 1293, UNSCR 1284, UNSCR 1175, UNSCR 1158, UNSCR 1153, UNSCR 1143, UNSCR 1129, UNSCR 1111, UNSCR 1051, UNSCR 986, UNSCR 778, UNSCR 706, UNSCR 670
Resources added
Added: 7 Executive Order(s), 1 Sanctions Brochure(s), 3 General License(s), 5 Federal Register Notice(s), 4 Interpretive Guidance(s), 2 Licensing Policy(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: comprehensive
Restrictions added
Added: travel_ban
Restrictions added
Added: travel_ban
EU Restrictive Measures — Recent Listings (uncategorised staging bucket) renamed
Program renamed from "EU Restrictive Measures against Unauthorised Drilling Activities (Eastern Mediterranean)" to "EU Restrictive Measures — Recent Listings (uncategorised staging bucket)"
Legal basis updated for EU Restrictive Measures — Recent Listings (uncategorised staging bucket)
Added: UNLI 30.03.2026, UNLI 26.03.2026, UNLI 26.03.2026 - 2, UNLI 20260225, UNLI HTI 7.11.2025, UNLI Haiti 9.07.2025
Target countries updated
Added: SD, IQ, UG. Removed: CY, TR
Restrictions removed
Removed: travel_ban
Restrictions removed
Removed: travel_ban, trade_restrictions
Resources added
Added: 1 overview(s), 2 regulation(s), 13 federal_register_notice(s), 4 interpretive_guidance(s), 3 general_license(s), 3 un_security_council_resolution(s)
The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 renamed
Program renamed from "UK Iraq sanctions" to "The Iraq (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020"
Legal basis updated for OFAC Iraq-Related Sanctions
Added: UNSCR 1293, UNSCR 1284, UNSCR 1175, UNSCR 1158, UNSCR 1153, UNSCR 1143, UNSCR 1129, UNSCR 1111, UNSCR 1051, UNSCR 778, UNSCR 706, UNSCR 670
Resources added
Added: 1 brochure(s), 1 faq(s), 7 guidance(s), 3 general_license(s), 7 executive_order(s), 13 federal_register_notice(s), 3 unsc_resolution(s)