Frequently Asked Questions

1116. Does the determination of February 24, 2023 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 with regard to the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy mean that all persons that operate or have operated in this sector of the Russian Federation economy are sanctioned by OFAC?

1116 … No. The Director of OFAC, in consultation with the State Department, has issued a determination pursuant to E.O. 14024 that authorizes the imposition of economic sanctions on any person determined to operate or have operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy.… Read more

1117. My company provides goods or services to, or engages in trade with, persons that operate or have operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy. Does my company risk being sanctioned by OFAC?

1117 … The determination made on February 24, 2023 pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 authorizes sanctions on any person determined to operate or have operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy. Non-U.S. persons may also be exposed to sanctions for activities… Read more

1119. Does General License (GL) O authorize all wind-down transactions for any vessel that was blocked on March 2, 2023? What if the vessel contains Iranian-origin merchandise?

1119 … Iran GL O authorizes U.S. persons to wind down all transactions otherwise prohibited by section 5 of Executive Order 13846 involving any vessel blocked as part of the March 2, 2023 designation (“blocked vessels”), subject to certain conditions. This includes, among other activities, the… Read more

1120. Do non-U.S. persons risk exposure to U.S. sanctions for engaging in transactions that U.S. persons would be authorized to engage in under Iran General License (GL) O?

1120 … No. Non-U.S. persons generally do not risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in activities or facilitating transactions for such activities that would be authorized for U.S. persons pursuant to GL O . Non-U.S. persons unable to wind down transactions in accordance with Iran GL O before 12… Read more

1121. What does Global Magnitksy General License 7, Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Tabacalera del Este, S.A. or Tabacos USA Inc. Pursuant to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, authorize?

1121 … Global Magnitsky General License 7 authorizes certain transactions involving the blocked entities Tabacos USA Inc. (Tabacos) and Tabacalera del Este S.A. (Tabesa) (or any entity in which Tabesa or Tabacos owns, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater… Read more

1083. What actions were taken on September 15, 2022 related to certain quantum computing services?

1083 … On September 15, 2022, the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Department of State, issued a determination pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071 , “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services,” prohibiting the exportation, reexportation, sale, or supply, directly or… Read more

1084. For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14071, “Prohibitions Related to Certain Quantum Computing Services” (“the determination”), what is meant by the term “quantum computing services”?

1084 … For the purposes of the determination , OFAC anticipates publishing regulations defining this term to include any of the following services when related to quantum computing, quantum computers, electronic assemblies thereof, or cryogenic refrigeration systems related to quantum computing: … Read more

1086. For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, what is meant by the term “quantum computing sector of the Russian Federation economy”?

1086 … For the purposes of the determination of September 15, 2022 made pursuant to E.O. 14024 , OFAC interprets the term “quantum computing sector of the Russian Federation economy” to include activities related to products and services in or involving the Russian Federation in research,… Read more

1087. Does the general license at 31 CFR § 560.540 authorize the exportation of fee-based or no-cost cloud-based services and software to Iran that are used to support communications tools authorized by 31 CFR § 560.540?

1087 … Yes. Section 560.540(a)(1) of the ITSR authorizes the exportation to Iran of fee-based or no-cost cloud-based services incident to the exchange of communications over the internet. In addition, 31 CFR § 560.540(a)(2) authorizes the exportation to Iran of cloud-based software that is… Read more

1088. What are OFAC’s due diligence expectations for cloud-based service or software providers whose services and software support communication tools are authorized by 31 CFR § 560.540?

1088 … A cloud-based service or software provider whose non-Iranian customers provide services or software to persons in Iran via the cloud may rely upon the authorization in 31 CFR § 560.540 to provide access to Iran, provided that such provider conducts due diligence based on information… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence