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Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions (PAARSS)

CHANGES TO OFAC'S SYRIA SANCTIONS PROGRAM AS OF JUNE 30, 2025

On June 30, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (E.O. of June 30, 2025) that removes U.S. sanctions on Syria, effective July 1, 2025. Sanctions will remain on Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human rights abusers, Captagon traffickers, persons linked to Syria's past proliferation activities, ISIS and Al-Qa'ida affiliates, and Iran and its proxies. OFAC previously issued Syria General License (GL) 25, which authorizes transactions otherwise prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 542 (SySR). To the extent still necessary, persons may continue to rely on GL 25 and the related Syria GL 25 Fact Sheet, which OFAC originally issued on May 28, 2025.

Revocation of sanctions authorities with respect to Syria: E.O. of June 30, 2025 revokes the following six Executive orders that form the foundation of the Syria sanctions program and terminates the national emergency underlying those Executive orders, effective July 1, 2025: E.O. 13338 of May 11, 2004; E.O. 13399 of April 25, 2006; E.O. 13460 of February 13, 2008; E.O. 13572 of April 29, 2011; E.O. 13573 of May 18, 2011; and E.O. 13582 of August 17, 2011.  

As a result, OFAC will remove the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 542 (SySR) from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) following the July 1, 2025 revocation. Persons designated solely pursuant to these orders have been removed from OFAC's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). Certain persons, including Bashar al-Assad and certain other destabilizing regional actors, will remain on the SDN List if they have also been designated under a different sanctions authority, including new designations under E.O. 13894, as further amended by E.O. of June 30, 2025.

Additional action and relief for Syria in E.O. of June 30, 2025:

Please consult the Departments of State and Commerce for information on these actions.

Maintaining sanctions on Assad and certain other destabilizing regional actors:

  • To maintain sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and certain other destabilizing regional actors, E.O. of June 30, 2025 also expands the scope of the national emergency declared in E.O. 13894 and further amends the criteria therein for the imposition of sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human rights abusers, Captagon drug traffickers, and certain other destabilizing regional actors. Additional authorities maintain sanctions on other actors in Syria and the region, including those supporting terrorism, Iran and its proxies, and Syria's past proliferation activities.

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IMPORTANT ADVISORIES AND INFORMATION:

Frequently Asked Questions

OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its sanctions programs and related policies. The link below sends the user to the entire list of OFAC's FAQs.

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 Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.

General Licenses

OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization 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.

Legal Framework for Promoting ACCOUNTABILITY FOR Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions

The Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions program represents the implementation of multiple legal authorities. Some of these authorities are in the form of an executive order 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.

Executive Orders

  • Executive Order - Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions (Effective July 01, 2025)
  • 14142 - Taking Additional Steps with Respect to the Situation in Syria (January 15, 2025)
  • 13894 - Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria (October 14, 2019)
  • 13606 - Blocking the Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons With Respect to Grave Human Rights Abuses by the Governments of Iran and Syria via Information Technology​ (Effective April 23, 2012) 

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

Federal Register Notices

  • 88 FR 87715-23 - Publication of Syria-Related Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 1, 2, and 3
  • 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
  • 85 FR 34510-20​ - Syria-related Sanctions Regulations