Frequently Asked Questions

928. Do U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network prohibit the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan?

928 … No. The Taliban are designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGTs) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 . The Haqqani Network is designated as an SDGT under E.O. 13224 and a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). … Read more

929. For the purposes of Afghanistan-related General License (GL) 14, what is "humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan" or "other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan"?

929 … For the purposes of Afghanistan-related GL 14 , humanitarian assistance includes the provision of relief services related to natural and man-made disasters, the provision of healthcare and health-related services, protection and assistance for vulnerable or displaced populations (including… Read more

930. Do U.S. sanctions on the Taliban and the Haqqani Network prohibit the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices to Afghanistan?

930 … No. The Taliban are designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended . The Haqqani Network is designated as an SDGT under E.O. 13224 and a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act… Read more

931. 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 Afghanistan-related General Licenses (GLs) 14, 15, 16, or 20?

931 … No. Non-U.S. persons may engage in or facilitate transactions that would be authorized for U.S. persons under Afghanistan-related GLs 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , or 20 without exposure to sanctions under the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 594 (GTSR), the Foreign… Read more

932. Do U.S. sanctions prohibit U.S. persons from visiting, or making donations to, the Imam Reza Holy Shrine in Mashhad, Iran?

932 … URGENT NOTE: The U.S. Department of State cautions against any travel by U.S. persons to Iran. The Department of State has issued a Level Four Travel Advisory ( Do Not Travel ) for Iran due to the risk of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and detention of U.S. citizens . See additional guidance… Read more

933. Are the authorizations in paragraph (a) of Venezuela-related General Licenses 7C and 20B, respectively, expired?

933 … No. The authorizations in paragraph (a) of Venezuela-related General Licenses (GLs) 7C (“Authorizing Certain Activities Involving PDV Holding, Inc. and CITGO Holding, Inc.”) and 20B (“Authorizing Official Activities of Certain International Organizations Involving the Government of Venezuela… Read more

935. Does the blocking of Hidri Trust and Red Sea Trading Corporation (RSTC) restrict the ability of U.S. and non-U.S. persons to engage in humanitarian-related transactions or activity in Eritrea or Ethiopia?

935 … No. OFAC has implemented three authorizations and an exemption under Executive Order (E.O.) 14046 to ensure that humanitarian assistance can flow to the people of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the greater Horn of Africa region. These authorizations and exemption apply to all persons sanctioned… Read more

936. Does OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule apply to Hidri Trust and Red Sea Trading Corporation (RSTC)?

936 … No. OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule does not apply to persons blocked solely pursuant to the blocking sanctions of E.O. 14046 . Unless an entity is itself a sanctioned person (as defined in E.O. 14046) and listed separately on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List… Read more

1114. What actions were taken on February 24, 2023 related to the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy?

1114 … On February 24, 2023, the Director of OFAC, in consultation with the Department of State, issued a sectoral determination pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 that authorizes the imposition of economic sanctions on any person determined to operate or have operated in the metals and… Read more

1115. For the purposes of the determination of February 24, 2023 made pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024, what is meant by the term “metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy”?

1115 … For the purposes of the determination of February 24, 2023 made pursuant to E.O. 14024 , OFAC anticipates publishing regulations defining the term “metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy” to include any act, process, or industry of extracting, at the surface or… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence