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Counter Terrorism Sanctions

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IMPORTANT ADVISORIES AND INFORMATION

Sanctions Brochures

Sanctions Brochures are an overview of OFAC's regulations with regard to the Counter Terrorism Sanctions. They are useful quick reference tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its sanctions programs and related policies. The links below send the user to OFAC's FAQ pages.

Interpretive Guidance

OFAC issues interpretive guidance on specific issues related to the sanctions programs it administers. These interpretations of OFAC policy are sometimes published in response to a public request for guidance or may be released proactively by OFAC in order to address a complex topic.

Applying for a Specific OFAC License

It may be in your and the U.S. government’s interest to authorize particular economic activity related to the Counter Terrorism Sanctions. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.

Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy

Certain activities related to the Counter Terrorism Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Below OFAC has issued guidance and statements on specific licensing policies as they relate to the Counter Terrorism Sanctions.

  • Licenses for Legal Fees and Costs - Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds for Payment of Legal Fees and Costs Incurred in Challenging the Blocking of U.S. Persons in Administrative or Civil Proceedings
  • Entities Owned By Blocked Persons - Guidance On Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property And Interests In Property Are Blocked

General Licenses

OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to the Counter Terrorism Sanctions. General licenses allow all US persons to engage in the activity described in the general license without needing to apply for a specific license.

  • General License 2 - Travel, employment, residence and maintenance transactions with the Palestinian Authority (April 12, 2006)
  • General License 3 - Payment of taxes and incidental fees to the Palestinian Authority (April 12, 2006)
  • General License 4 - Transactions with entities under the control of the Palestinian President and certain other entities (April 12, 2006)
  • General License 5 - Concluding activities with the Palestinian Authority (April 12, 2006)
  • General License 6 - In-kind donations of medicine, medical devices, and medical services (July 6, 2006)
  • General License 7 - Broad authorization for U.S. persons to engage in all transactions otherwise prohibited by the terrorism sanctions programs with the Palestinian Authority (June 20, 2007)
  • General License 7a - Transactions with the Palestinian Authority authorized (May 14, 2013)
  • General License 8a - Authorizing Certain Humanitarian Trade Transactions Involving the Central Bank of Iran or the National Iranian Oil Company (October 26, 2020)
  • General License 14 - Authorizing Humanitarian Activities in Afghanistan (September 24, 2021)
  • General License 15 - Transactions Related to the Exportation or Reexportation of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts and Components, or Software Updates in Afghanistan (September 24, 2021)
  • General License 16 - Authorizing Noncommercial, Personal Remittances to Afghanistan (December 10, 2021)
  • General License 17 - Authorizing Official Business of the United States Government (December 22, 2021)
  • General License 18 - Authorizing Official Activities of Certain International Organizations and Other International Entities (December 22, 2021)
  • General License 19 - Authorizing Certain Transactions in Support of Nongovernmental Organizations’ Activities in Afghanistan (December 22, 2021)
  • General License - To authorize payments from funds originating outside the United States for certain legal services to or on behalf of blocked persons, as well as the formation of legal defense funds to gather donations and dispense funds in connection with payments for such legal services (December 7, 2010)
  • General License 20 - Authorizing Transactions Involving Afghanistan or Governing Institutions in Afghanistan (February 25, 2022)
  • General License 21B - Authorizing Limited Safety and Environmental Transactions Involving Certain Vessels (January 12, 2023)
  • General License 22 - Transactions Related to the Provision of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts and Components, or Software Updates Involving Ansarallah (January 17, 2024)
    • Arabic Translated Version of General License 22 - معاملات متعلقة بتوفير السلع الزراعية، أو الأدوية، أو الأجهزة الطبية، أو قطع الغيار والمكونات، أو تحديثات البرمجيات تشمل جماعة أنصار الله 
  • General License 23 - Authorizing Transactions Related to Telecommunications Mail, and Certain Internet-Based Communications Involving Ansarallah (January 17, 2024)
    • Arabic Translated Version of General License 23 - التصريح بمعاملات متعلقة بريد الاتصالات السلكية واللاسلكية، واتصالات مُعينة قائمةعلى الإنترنت تشمل جماعة أنصار الله 
  • General License 24 - Authorizing Noncommercial, Personal Remittances Involving Ansarallah (January 17, 2024)
  • General License 25 - Authorizing Transactions Related to Refined Petroleum Products in Yemen Involving Ansarallah (January 17, 2024)
  • General License 26 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Necessary to Port and Airport Operations Involving Ansarallah (January 17, 2024)
  • General License 27 - Authorizing Civil Aviation Safety and Wind Down Transactions Involving Fly Baghdad (January 22, 2024)
  • General License 28 - Authorizing Transactions for Third-Country Diplomatic and Consular Missions Involving Ansarallah (February 16, 2024)
  • General License 29 - Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Haleel Commodities LLC (March 11, 2024)
  • Archive of Expired General Licenses

Non-SDN lists associated with anti-terrorism programs

Section (b) of General License 4 issued pursuant to the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 594), the Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 595), and the Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 597) authorizes U.S. financial institutions to reject transactions with members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) who were elected to the PLC on the party slate of Hamas, or any other Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), Specially Designated Terrorist (SDT), or Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), provided that any such individuals are not named on OFAC's list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List).

Impact Reports - Terrorist Assets Reports (TAR)

OFAC occasionally produces reports that demonstrate the impact of economic sanctions. The reports below document the assets blocked under the Counter Terrorism Sanctions.

Press Charts

OFAC occasionally releases charts of the players in and structures of Terrorist Organizations with its press releases.

legal framework for the Counter Terrorism Sanctions

The Counter Terrorism Sanctions represent the implementation of multiple legal authorities. Some of these authorities are in the form of executive orders issued by the President. Other authorities are public laws (statutes) passed by The Congress. These authorities are further codified by OFAC in its regulations which are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Modifications to these regulations are posted in the Federal Register. In addition to all of these authorities, OFAC may also implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) with regard to the Counter Terrorism Sanctions.

Executive Orders

  • 13886 Modernizing Sanctions to Combat Terrorism (September 10, 2019)
  • 13372 Clarification of Certain Executive Orders Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions (February 16, 2005)
  • 13268 Termination of Emergency With Respect to the Taliban and Amendment of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 (July 2, 2002)
  • 13224 Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism (Effective Date - September 24, 2001)
  • 13099 Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process (Effective Date - August 21, 1998)
  • 12947 Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process (January 23, 1995)

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

Federal Register Notices

  • 88 FR 9397-23 - Publication of Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 21A and 21B
  • 87 FR 78484-22 - Publication of Humanitarian Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses (Nongovernmental Organizations, Agricultural, and Medicine)
  • 87 FR 78470-22 - Publication of United States Government and International Organizations Official Business Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses
  • 87 FR 76932-22 - Publication of Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations Web General License 21
  • 87 FR 58450-22 - Publication of Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations and Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8 and 8A
  • 87 FR 39337-22 - Amendment to the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations
  • 86 FR 27273-21 - Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations: Amendment to implement the rescission of the designation of Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism
  • 85 FR 13746-20 - Removal of Terrorism Sanctions Regulations
  • 84 FR 35307-19 - Amendments to the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations (GTSR); Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions Regulations (TCOSR); and Hizballah financial Sanctions Regulations (HFSR)
  • 84 FR 9456-19 - Amendment for the List of Foreign Financial Institutions Subject to Correspondent Account or Payable-Through Account Sanctions (CAPTA List)
  • 83 FR 30539-18 - Removal of the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations and Amendment of the Terrorism List Government Sanctions Regulations
  • 82 FR 50313-17 - Amendment of Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations
  • 78 FR ​38574-13 - Technical Amendments to Counter-Terrorism Sanctions Regulations Implemented by OFAC
  • 75 FR 75904-10 - Amendments to Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and Terrorism Sanctions Regulations to expand the scope of authorizations in each of those programs for the provision of certain legal services
  • 74 FR 61036-09 - Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations - Amendment to define the terms "financial, material, or technological support"
  • 74 FR 23111-09 - Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations - Amendment to remove countries that are no longer designated as supporting terrorism
  • 73 FR 78631-08 - Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations - Amendment to expand the scope of legal services
  • 72 FR 61517-07 - Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations - Revision to authorize transactions with the Palestinian Authority
  • 72 FR 4206-07 - Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations - Amendment to clarify and redefine terms
  • 71 FR 58742-06 - Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations - Amendment to authorize the donation of medical devices to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health
  • 71 FR 29251-06 - Revisions to IEEPA made by the Combating Terrorism Financing Act of 2005
  • 71 FR 27199-06 - Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Terrorism Sanctions Regulations; Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations - Revisions to authorize certain transactions with the Palestinian Authority

United Nations Security Council Resolutions

  • 1526 Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (January 30, 2004)
  • 1373 Reaffirming the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts (September 28, 2001)
  • 1368 Reaffirming the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations (September 12, 2001)
  • 1363 Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolution 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999 and resolution 1333 (2000) of 19 December 2000, as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Afghanistan (July 30, 2001)
  • 1333 Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolution 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999 and the statements of its President on the situation in Afghanistan (December 19, 2000)
  • 1269 Reaffirming that the suppression of acts of international terrorism, including those in which States are involved, is an essential contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security (October 19, 1999)
  • 1267 Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 1189 (1998) of 13 August 1998, 1193 (1998) of 28 August 1998 and 1214 (1998) of 8 December 1998, and the statements of its President on the situation in Afghanistan (October 15, 1999)
  • 1214 Reaffirming its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 1189 (1998) of 13 August 1998 and 1193 (1998) of 28 August 1998, and the statements of its President on the situation in Afghanistan (December 8, 1998)
  • 1189 Reaffirming the determination of the international community to eliminate international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations (August 13, 1998)