Non-Proliferation Sanctions

Sanctions Brochures

Sanctions Brochures are an overview of OFAC's regulations with regard to the Non-Proliferation sanctions. They are useful quick reference tools.

Overview of Sanctions

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 the entire list of OFAC's FAQs.

OFAC Frequently Asked Questions

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 Non-Proliferation sanctions. Certain activities related to the Non-Proliferation sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.

Apply for an OFAC License Online - Authorization from OFAC to engage in a transaction that otherwise would be prohibited.

General Licenses

OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to the Non-Proliferation 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.

Revocation of General License No. 1 - revocation of General License No. 1 issued pursuant to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 544, which authorized certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Sabalan, MV Sahand, and MV Tuchal, three vessels on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.
General License No. 2 - authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Dandle and the MV Decretive, which are two vessels on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list. These vessels are currently under arrest in Malta and Hong Kong, respectively.
Revocation of General License No. 3 - revocation of General License No. 3 issued pursuant to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 544, which authorized certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV First Ocean and MV Second Ocean, two vessels on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.
General License No. 4 - Exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices to Iran through any Iranian port operated by Tidewater Middle East Company is authorized in certain circumstances.
General License No. 5c - authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Dianthe (f.k.a. Horsham, f.k.a. Iran Bam, IMO No. 9323833), which is a vessel on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
Iran General License A - Certain transactions otherwise authorized under general or specific licenses set forth in or issued pursuant to 31 C.F.R. chapter V authorized.
General License 6 - authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Uppercourt (a.k.a. Iran Bojnoord, IMO No. 9305207), which is a vessel on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
Revocation of General License No. 7 - Revocation of General License No. 7 pursuant to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. Part 544, which authorized certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Amina (f.k.a. Shere, a.k.a. Iran Tabas, IMO No. 9305192), which is a vessel on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
General License No. 8 - authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the of the AMIN Crude Oil Tanker (a.k.a. AMIN 2, IMO No. 9422366), which is a vessel on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
General License No. 9 - authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the Motor Vessel SININ (IMO No. 9274941), which is a vessel on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list.
Archive of Expired General Licenses

Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy

Certain activities related to the Non-Proliferation 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 Non-Proliferation 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

LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE NON-PROLIFERATION SANCTIONS

The Non-Proliferation sanctions program represents 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 Non-Proliferation sanctions program.

Executive Orders

13883 - Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851 (Effective Date - August 3, 2019)
13608 Prohibiting Certain Transactions With And Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect To Iran And Syria (Effective Date - May 1, 2012)
13382 Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters (Effective Date - June 29, 2005)
13094 Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (Effective Date - July 29, 1998)
12938 Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (Effective Date - November 14, 1994)

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

31 CFR Part 539 - Weapons of Mass Destruction Trade Control Regulations
31 CFR Part 544 - Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations

Federal Register Notices

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 8735-22 Amended Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations
86 FR 73105-21 Amended Weapons of Mass Destruction Trade Control Regulations
85 FR 61823-20 Amended Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations
84 FR 48704-19 Issuance of Russia-Related Directive Pursuant to Executive Order 13883 of August 1, 2019 ("CBW Act Directive")
74 FR 16771-09 New regulations to implement Executive Order 13382
71 FR 29251-06 Revisions to IEEPA made by the Combating Terrorism Financing Act of 2005
68 FR 28314-03 Bureau of Nonproliferation; Imposition of Nonproliferation Measures on an Entity in China, Including a Ban on U.S. Government Procurement - Public Notices 4370 and 4371 (U.S. Department of State)

United Nations Security Council Resolutions

1929 Additional Sanctions on Iran (9 June 2010)
1803 Increases Vigilance on Iranian Banks (3 March 2008)
1747 Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo (24 March 2007)
1737 Imposes Sanctions on Iran for Refusal to Halt Uranium Enrichment (23 December 2006)
1696 Demands Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment (31 July 2006)
1540 Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (28 April 2004)