Frequently Asked Questions

1074. Is EuroChem Group AG blocked as a result of the designation of Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko?

No. OFAC has not designated EuroChem Group AG and, based on information available to OFAC, EuroChem Group AG is not owned 50% or more by blocked persons or otherwise considered the blocked property of Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko. As a general matter, agricultural and medical trade are not the… Read more

1075. Is PhosAgro PJSC blocked as a result of the designation of Andrey Grigoryevich Guryev and Andrey Andreevich Guryev?

No. OFAC has not designated PhosAgro PJSC and, based on information available to OFAC, PhosAgro PJSC is not owned 50% or more by blocked persons or otherwise considered the blocked property of Andrey Grigoryevich Guryev and Andrey Andreevich Guryev. As a general matter, agricultural and medical… 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

1081. Am I required to show official documentation that I’ve closed my account at a Russian financial institution blocked pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 in order to take advantage of Russia-related General License (GL) 50?

No. GL 50 authorizes individuals with accounts at Russian financial institutions blocked pursuant to E.O. 14024 to unblock and lump sum transfer funds to an account at a non-designated financial institution. Individuals do not need to provide official documentation proving they have closed their… Read more

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

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”?

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”?

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, development,… 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?

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 incident to,… 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?

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 available to it… Read more

1089. Can persons seeking to export software, services, or hardware to Iran in support of internet freedom apply for a specific license from OFAC if the export is not authorized by 31 CFR § 560.540?

Yes, persons seeking to export software, services, or hardware to Iran or conduct other activities in support of internet freedom in Iran that are not exempt transactions or authorized by the general license in 31 CFR § 560.540 or other authorizations are encouraged to submit a specific license… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence