Frequently Asked Questions

1250. Are Iranian digital asset exchanges blocked under OFAC sanctions?

Yes. Executive Order (E.O.) 13599 , as implemented by section 560.211(b) of the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 560 (ITSR), blocks the property and interests in property of Iranian financial institutions. An Iranian financial institution is blocked pursuant to E.O. 13599… Read more

1251. What does Executive Order (E.O.) 14404 of May 1, 2026, "Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy," do?

E.O. 14404 takes additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in E.O. 14380 of January 29, 2026, "Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba." E.O. 14404 authorizes the imposition of sanctions by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of State on… Read more

595. What does Venezuela-related General License 5W authorize?

The President issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13835 on May 21, 2018. Subsection 1(a)(iii) of E.O. 13835 prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions related to the sale, transfer, assignment, or pledging as collateral by the Government of Venezuela (GOV) of any equity interest in an entity… Read more

1254. On May 7, 2026, the Department of State designated the Cuban entity Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA) pursuant to E.O. 14404. Are foreign persons, including foreign financial institutions (FFIs), subject to sanctions risk for transacting with GAESA?

Generally, yes, but the U.S. government does not intend to target foreign persons, including FFIs, pursuant to E.O. 14404 for engaging in transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of transactions involving GAESA, or any entity in which GAESA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50… Read more

1253. What does Cuba-related General License (GL) 1, "Transactions Authorized Pursuant to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations," authorize?

On May 7, 2026, OFAC issued Cuba-related GL 1 , authorizing all transactions prohibited by E.O. 14404 where such transactions are authorized or exempt under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR part 515 ( CACR ). GL 1 includes transactions authorized by either general or specific license… Read more

1256. Are all persons that operate or have operated in the five sectors of the Cuban economy identified in E.O. 14404 sanctioned by OFAC under E.O. 14404?

No. E.O. 14404 authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, or the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, to impose blocking sanctions on any foreign person determined to operate or have operated in the following sectors of… Read more

1255. Are persons blocked pursuant to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), 31 CFR part 515, automatically blocked pursuant to the E.O. 14404?

No. Persons blocked or otherwise identified pursuant to the CACR are not automatically blocked pursuant to the E.O. 14404 . The CACR and E.O. 14404 are separate sanctions authorities. E.O. 14404 separately authorizes the imposition of blocking sanctions and certain less-than-blocking sanctions… Read more

1252. Does E.O. 14404 alter U.S. sanctions on Cuba pursuant to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR)?

No. All existing prohibitions and authorizations pursuant to the CACR remain in effect. E.O. 14404 was issued pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( IEEPA ), and is distinct from the CACR, which is issued pursuant to the Trading with the Enemy Act ( TWEA ), among other… Read more

1080. I am a U.S. person with an account at a Russian financial institution blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024. What am I required or allowed to do under OFAC sanctions with respect to such accounts?

Since Russia's further invasion of Ukraine beginning in February 2022, OFAC has blocked a number of Russian financial institutions pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy (see FAQ 966 ). In addition, all property and… Read more

843. I'm a U.S. person that relied on general or specific licenses issued pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR) to conduct humanitarian-related or other transactions and activities prior to the identification of the financial sector of Iran and sanctioning of a number of Iranian financial institutions (Iranian FIs) under E.O. 13902. Is any further authorization needed to conduct such transactions following these actions?

No. General License (GL) L extends authorizations provided through specific and general licenses issued under the ITSR to apply to transactions and activities involving Iranian FIs blocked pursuant to E.O. 13902 . Further authorization from OFAC beyond GL L is not required under E.O. 13902, so long… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

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