Frequently Asked Questions

347. Are there any restrictions as to the use of the Farsi language in authorized advertising or software?

347 … U.S. sanctions on Iran do not impose any restrictions as to the use of the Farsi language. See FAQ 337 . Date Updated: May 16, 2024 … Are there any restrictions as to the use of the Farsi language in authorized advertising or …

299. For purposes of IFCA, what are considered precious metals?

299 … For purposes of IFCA , we anticipate that regulations to be promulgated will define the term “precious metals” to include silver (including silver plated with gold or platinum, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form); gold (including gold plated with platinum, unwrought or… Read more

370. What do the prohibitions in Directives 1 and 2 mean? Are they blocking actions?

370 … The sectoral sanctions imposed on specified persons operating in sectors of the Russian economy identified by the Secretary of the Treasury were done under Executive Order 13662 through Directive s issued by OFAC pursuant to its delegated authorities. Directive 1, as amended on September 29,… Read more

300. For purposes of sanctions under section 1245, how will I know which sectors are controlled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps?

300 … Pursuant to delegated authority, the Secretary of State issues periodic reports pursuant to section 1245(e) of IFCA with respect to which sectors of the Iranian economy are controlled directly or indirectly by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Given the opaque business… Read more

301. How will the determination be made as to whether materials are used in a manner that would make them subject to sanctions under section 1245 of IFCA?

301 … A FFI , prior to conducting or facilitating a significant financial transaction for the sale, supply, or transfer to or from Iran of the materials listed in 1245(d) – as described in part in Q&A 298 – will need to undertake due diligence to ensure that the transaction does not involve the… Read more

302. Are there any exceptions to section 1245 of IFCA?

302 … A person will not be subject to sanctions under section 1245 of IFCA if a determination is made by the Department of the Treasury or the Department of State, as appropriate, that the person has established and enforced official policies, procedures, and controls to ensure that the person does… Read more

303. Which insurance, reinsurance, or underwriting activities are potentially subject to sanctions under IFCA's section 1246(a)(1)?

303 … A number of insurance activities are subject to sanctions under IFCA , including knowingly providing insurance, reinsurance, or underwriting services to or for Iranian persons on the SDN List to or for any person designated in connection with Iran’s support for international terrorism or WMD… Read more

453. Pursuant to General License 6 under the Ukraine-Related Sanctions Program, are U.S. financial institutions authorized to process noncommercial, personal remittances to or from Crimea (or to or from individuals ordinarily resident in Crimea) when there is no individual who is a U.S. person as either the remitter or beneficiary in the transaction?

453 … Yes. U.S. depository institutions, U.S.-registered brokers or dealers in securities, and U.S.-registered money transmitters are authorized to process noncommercial, personal remittances pursuant to General License 6 regardless of whether the originator or beneficiary is an individual who is a… Read more

454. Does General License No. 9 authorize U.S. persons to export or reexport services or software with knowledge or reason to know that such services or software are intended for an individual or entity identified on the Sectoral Sanctions Identification List (SSI List)?

454 … General License No. 9 authorizes the exportation or reexportation, directly or indirectly, of certain services and software to persons in the Crimea region of Ukraine, including to individuals and entities identified on the SSI List or who are otherwise subject to directives under Executive… Read more

539. Section 223(a) of CAATSA states that the “Secretary of the Treasury may determine that a person meets one or more of the criteria in section 1(a) of Executive Order No. 13662 if that person is a state-owned entity operating in the railway or metals and mining sector of the economy of the Russian Federation.” Is OFAC going to impose sanctions on persons operating in those sectors?

539 … Section 223(a) of CAATSA does not require the imposition of sanctions. While sanctions may be imposed on potential targets in any sector of the economy of the Russian Federation in the future, maintaining unity with partners on sanctions implemented with respect to the Russian Federation is… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence