Frequently Asked Questions

828. I want to help with the humanitarian response to public health concerns, including the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, in Iran. What can I do to help while remaining compliant with U.S. sanctions?

828 … There are a number of ways consistent with U.S. sanctions to provide humanitarian goods or assistance to the Iranian people in response to public health concerns in Iran, including the COVID-19 outbreak. The making of humanitarian donations to recipients in Iran from the United States or by… Read more

867. Can U.S. and non-U.S. persons provide humanitarian assistance to Syria following the identification of the Central Bank of Syria (CBoS) on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List)?

867 … Yes. The identification of the CBoS on the SDN List does not trigger new prohibitions; existing general and specific licenses under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR), 31 C.F.R. Part 542, continue to apply as they did previously. U.S. persons may continue engaging with the CBoS in… Read more

884. Do non-U.S. persons, including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and foreign financial institutions, risk exposure to U.S. secondary sanctions pursuant to the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (Caesar Act) for activities that would be authorized under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR)?

884 … With respect to non-U.S. persons, OFAC will not consider transactions to be “significant” for the purpose of a sanctions determination under the Caesar Act if U.S. persons would not require a specific license from OFAC to participate in such a transaction. See 31 CFR § 542.414. Accordingly… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence