Frequently Asked Questions

1200. If a non-sanctioned person files a claim with their insurance company for a loss caused by a blocked person, such as a designated terrorist organization, is the insurance company permitted to pay the claim?

1200 … OFAC is aware that insurers at times receive claims from non-sanctioned persons in non-comprehensively sanctioned jurisdictions for losses caused by individuals or entities on OFAC's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). For example, a U.S. insurance company… Read more

1201. What authorizations exist for diplomatic or consular missions operating in or outside of Russia and Russian diplomatic or consular missions operating abroad?

1201 … The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has issued several authorizations related to U.S. and third-country diplomatic or consular missions operating in or outside of Russia and Russian diplomatic or consular missions operating abroad. Russian Diplomatic or Consular Missions, Wherever… Read more

1218. How is Treasury planning to implement the President’s February 26 announcement on energy-related authorizations in Venezuela?

1218 … Treasury is preparing to take action to wind-down General License 41 and other specific licenses as appropriate. We will issue additional guidance to assist implementation concurrent with any changes to the authorization(s). … How is Treasury planning to implement the President’s February 26… Read more

1219. On March 4, 2025, the Department of State (State) designated Ansarallah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). What actions did OFAC take related to this announcement?

1219 … OFAC implemented State's designation of Ansarallah ("the Houthis") as an FTO by updating the existing Ansarallah entry on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). Ansarallah was already listed on the SDN List as a result of State's February 16, 2024 designation… Read more

1159. What transactions does Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (GTSR) General License (GL) 27 authorize?

1159 … Wind down transactions: GL 27 authorizes all transactions prohibited by the GTSR that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of any transaction involving Fly Baghdad through 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, March 22, 2024, provided that any payment to Fly Baghdad must be… Read more

1202. Following the November 21, 2024 designation of Russian financial institutions, Treasury has now designated a significant number of financial institutions in Russia. Will this negatively impact the processing of personal, non-commercial remittances to or from Russia?

1202 … No. Treasury's sanctions target Russian financial institutions that have continued to help Russia gain access to the critical goods it needs to prosecute its war in Ukraine. As a general matter, personal, non-commercial remittances are not the target of sanctions imposed by the United States… Read more

1203. What does General License (GL) 115A ("Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Civil Nuclear Energy") authorize with respect to civil nuclear energy-related payments?

1203 … GL 115A generally authorizes certain transactions related to civil nuclear energy involving certain entities that are sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 14024. Civil nuclear energy means the following activities when undertaken solely to maintain or support civil nuclear energy projects… Read more

1204. On December 27, 2024, OFAC designated Bidzina Ivanishvili (Ivanishvili) pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024. Can I continue to engage in transactions or other dealings with entities owned by Ivanishvili that are not listed on OFAC's Specially Designation Nationals and Blocked Person List (SDN List) without facing sanctions risk?

1204 … Yes. Although transactions or other dealings involving Ivanishvili are generally prohibited as a result of OFAC's designation, OFAC concurrently issued General License (GL) 116 authorizing U.S. persons to engage in all transactions with any entity owned 50% or more by Ivanishvili provided… Read more

1209. Even after the issuance of Syria General License (GL) 24 ("Authorizing Transactions with Governing Institutions in Syria and Certain Transactions Related to Energy and Personal Remittances"), may I still rely on existing sanctions authorizations for the provision of humanitarian aid?

1209 … Yes. The authorization in GL 24 may overlap with the authorizations in existing GLs issued under the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (SySR), the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (GTSR), and the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations (FTOSR), including: transactions in… Read more

1211. Can foreign governments or companies donate or provide subsidized fuel to Syria without facing exposure to U.S. sanctions?

1211 … Yes. Syria General License (GL) 24 authorizes transactions in support of the sale, supply, storage, or donation of energy, including petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity, to or within Syria. This may include, for example, the donation of gasoline to Syrian… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence