OFAC Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions (PAARSS)

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OFAC Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions (PAARSS) is a sanctions program maintained by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeting Iran and Syria. It imposes asset freeze, travel ban, financial restrictions and trade restrictions.

Last updated 12 Jun 2026

Overview

The PAARSS program maintains U.S. sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human rights abusers, Captagon traffickers, persons linked to Syria's past proliferation activities, ISIS and Al-Qa'ida affiliates, and Iran and its proxies, following the revocation of the broader Syria sanctions program effective July 1, 2025. The program was established by E.O. 14312, which revoked six prior Syria-related executive orders, expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in E.O. 13894, and amended its criteria to target Assad and certain other destabilizing regional actors.

Targeted countries

Iran Syria

Legal bases

E.O. 14312 - Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions (Effective July 1, 2025)
E.O. 14142 - Taking Additional Steps with Respect to the Situation in Syria (January 15, 2025)
E.O. 13894 - Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria (October 14, 2019)
E.O. 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 (Effective April 23, 2012)
Repeal of Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, Public Law No: 119-60, 139 Stat. 1905
Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (Sections 7404-7438 of the NDAA for FY 2020) as amended by Section 5123 of the NDAA for FY 2025
Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act, Public Law No: 118-50, 138 Stat. 992
Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, H.R. 1905 (PL 112-158)
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706
National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1651
31 CFR Part 569 - Syria-related Sanctions Regulations

Official resources

E.O. 14312 - Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions

E.O. 14142 - Taking Additional Steps with Respect to the Situation in Syria

E.O. 13894 - Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria

E.O. 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

90 FR 46056-25 - Final Rule to rename the Syria-Related Sanctions Regulations to the PAARSS Regulations, and to implement regulatory amendments

88 FR 87715-23 - Publication of Syria-Related Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 1, 2, and 3

87 FR 78484-22 - Publication of Humanitarian Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses (Nongovernmental Organizations, Agricultural, and Medicine)

87 FR 78470-22 - Publication of United States Government and International Organizations Official Business Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses

85 FR 34510-20 - Syria-related Sanctions Regulations

Tri-Seal Advisory: Sanctions and Export Controls Relief for Syria

Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Syria

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

Licenses for Legal Fees and Costs - Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds for Payment of Legal Fees and Costs

Entities Owned By Blocked Persons - Guidance On Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property And Interests In Property Are Blocked

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