OFAC Iran Sanctions

OFACcomprehensiveasset freezetrade restrictionsfinancial restrictionssectoralarms embargoinvestment ban

OFAC Iran Sanctions is a sanctions program maintained by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran. It imposes comprehensive, asset freeze, trade restrictions, financial restrictions, sectoral and arms embargo.

Last updated 12 Jun 2026

Overview

Comprehensive U.S. sanctions program targeting Iran, implementing multiple executive orders, statutes, and regulations. The program addresses Iran's nuclear proliferation, ballistic missile activities, human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and sectors of the Iranian economy including petroleum, petrochemicals, financial services, iron, steel, aluminum, and copper. Sanctions include blocking of Iranian government property, trade restrictions, financial sanctions, and secondary sanctions on foreign persons.

Targeted country

Iran

Legal bases

Executive Order 12170 - Blocking Iranian Government Property (November 14, 1979)
Executive Order 12205 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Iran (April 17, 1980)
Executive Order 12211 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Iran (April 17, 1980)
Executive Order 12613 - Prohibiting Imports From Iran (October 29, 1987)
Executive Order 12957 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to the Development of Iranian Petroleum Resources (March 16, 1995)
Executive Order 12959 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Iran (May 7, 1995)
Executive Order 13059 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With Respect to Iran (August 20, 1997)
Executive Order 13553 - Blocking Property of Certain Persons With Respect to Serious Human Rights Abuses By The Government of Iran (September 29, 2010)
Executive Order 13599 - Blocking Property of the Government of Iran and Iranian Financial Institutions (February 6, 2012)
Executive Order 13606 - Blocking the Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons With Respect to Grave Human Rights Abuses by the Governments of Iran and Syria via Information Technology (April 23, 2012)
Executive Order 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria (May 1, 2012)
Executive Order 13846 - Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Respect To Iran
Executive Order 13871 - Imposing Sanctions with Respect to the Iron, Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Sectors of Iran
Executive Order 13876 - Imposing Sanctions with Respect to Iran
Executive Order 13902 - Imposing Sanctions With Respect to Additional Sectors of Iran
Executive Order 13949 - Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to the Conventional Arms Activities of Iran
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706
National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1651
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA), 18 U.S.C. § 2332d
Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, as Amended, 50 U.S.C. § 1701 note
International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1985 (ISDCA), 22 U.S.C. § 2349aa-9
Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, Public Law 111-195
Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, Public Law 112-158
Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA), Public Law 112-239
Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, P.L. 112-81
Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Public Law 115-44
Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA), 22 U.S.C. §§ 7201-7211
Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports (Fight CRIME) Act, Public Law 118-50, Division K
Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act, Public Law 118-50, Division L
Iran-China Energy Sanctions Act of 2023, Public Law 118-50, Division S
Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act, Public Law 118-50, Division J
31 CFR Part 535 - Iranian Assets Control Regulations
31 CFR Part 560 - Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations
31 CFR Part 561 - Iranian Financial Sanctions Regulations
31 CFR Part 562 - Iranian Human Rights Abuses Sanctions Regulations

Official resources

Guidance for Shipping and Maritime Stakeholders on Detecting and Mitigating Iranian Oil Sanctions Evasion

Iran Ballistic Missile Procurement Advisory

Guidance to Industry on Iran's UAV-Related Activities

Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices

Deceptive Practices by Iran with respect to the Civil Aviation Industry

Financial Channels to Facilitate Humanitarian Trade with Iran and Related Due Diligence and Reporting Expectations

Iran General License E - Authorizing Certain Services in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations' Activities in Iran

Iran General License F - Authorizing Certain Services in Support of Professional and Amateur Sports Activities and Exchanges Involving the United States and Iran

Iran General License G - Certain Academic Exchanges and the Exportation or Importation of Certain Educational Services Authorized

Iran General License J-1 - Authorizing the Reexportation of Certain Civil Aircraft to Iran on Temporary Sojourn and Related Transactions

Iran General License L - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Iranian Financial Institutions Blocked Pursuant to Executive Order 13902

Iran General License 8A - Authorizing Certain Humanitarian Trade Transactions Involving the Central Bank of Iran or the National Iranian Oil Company

Iran General License Q - Authorizing Limited Safety, Environmental, and Sale Transactions Involving the Blocked Vessel M.V. Tinos I While Located in the United States

Iran General License T - Authorizing Limited Safety and Environmental Transactions and the Offloading of Cargo Involving Certain Persons or Vessels Blocked on January 23, 2026

Guidance on the Sale of Food, Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, and Medical Devices by Non-U.S. Persons to Iran

Clarifying Guidance on Humanitarian Assistance and Related Exports to the Iranian People

Interpretive Guidance and Statement of Licensing Policy on Internet Freedom in Iran

Guidance on the Provision of Certain Services Relating to the Requirements of U.S. Sanctions Laws

Guidance on Certain Publishing Activities

91 FR 35141 - Publication of Iran-Related Web General Licenses U and V

91 FR 24722 - Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses

90 FR 47230 - Publication of Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations Web General License R

88 FR 43311 - Final Rule Amending the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations

85 FR 61823 - Amended Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations

31 CFR Part 535 - Iranian Assets Control Regulations

31 CFR Part 560 - Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations

31 CFR Part 561 - Iranian Financial Sanctions Regulations

31 CFR Part 562 - Iranian Human Rights Abuses Sanctions Regulations

Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 13902 - Petroleum and Petrochemical Sectors of the Iranian Economy

Determination Pursuant to Section 1(a)(i) of Executive Order 13902 - Financial Sector of the Iranian Economy

UNSCR 2231 - Endorses the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

UNSCR 1929 - Iran Non-Proliferation

OFAC Alert: Sanctions Risks of Iranian Demands for Strait of Hormuz Passage

OFAC Alert: Sanctions Risk of Dealing with Teapot Oil Refineries

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