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Syria Sanctions - Inactive and Archived

OFAC no longer maintains comprehensive sanctions on Syria or blocking sanctions on the Government of Syria.  

OFAC maintains list-based sanctions on former Syrian President 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.  

More details about these updates can be found below.

The following sanctions authorities are in effect with respect to Syria:

  • Executive Order (E.O.) 14312, of June 30, 2025, amends E.O. 13894 and authorizes the imposition of sanctions on Bashar al-Assad and his associates, human rights abusers, Captagon drug traffickers, and certain other destabilizing regional actors. To implement these executive orders, OFAC amended the Syria-Related Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR Part 569, to, among other things, change the heading to the Promoting Accountability for Assad and Regional Stabilization Sanctions Regulations (PAARSSR), effective September 25, 2025. Persons designated pursuant to the PAARSSR may be found on OFAC's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List). Separate authorities maintain list-based sanctions on other actors in Syria and the region, including those supporting terrorism, Iran and its proxies, and Syria's past proliferation activities.

The following sanctions authorities are no longer in effect with respect to Syria:

  • Effective July 1, 2025, E.O. 14312 revoked the following six Executive Orders that formed the foundation of the Syria sanctions program and terminated the national emergency underlying those Executive Orders: 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. To reflect this revocation of authorities, OFAC removed the Syrian Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 542 (SySR) from the Code of Federal Regulations on August 25, 2025. U.S. persons are not broadly prohibited from engaging in transactions with respect to Syria or the Government of Syria that were previously prohibited solely by the SySR. In addition, following the revocation of the above six E.O.s, persons designated solely pursuant to the blocking authorities of those E.O.s were removed from OFAC's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List) and all property and interests in property blocked solely pursuant to the SySR or related to persons removed from the SDN List were unblocked.
  • On December 18, 2025, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (Caesar Act) was repealed when President Trump signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
  • The determination regarding Syria as a State Sponsor of Terrorism was rescinded on August 24, 2026. Accordingly, Syria is no longer subject to prohibitions under the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 596 (TLGSR), or 22 USC 7205(a)(1). Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham was concurrently removed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization from the SDN List.  
  • The revocation of the aforementioned sanctions authorities does not affect past, present, or future OFAC enforcement investigations or actions associated with any apparent violations of the SySR that occurred prior to July 1, 2025 or of the TLGSR prior to August 24, 2026.

Sanctions Termination Executive Order

  • 14312 - Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions (Effective July 01, 2025)

SYRIA SANCTIONS PROGRAM UPDATEs

On May 23, 2025, OFAC issued a General License Authorizing Transactions Prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations or Involving Certain Blocked Persons.

Important Advisories and Information:

Sanctions advisories highlight the sanctions evasion tactics used by Syria. Parties subject to U.S. and/or United Nations sanctions should be aware of these practices in order to implement appropriate controls to ensure compliance with their legal requirements.

Sanctions Brochures

Sanctions Brochures are an overview of OFAC's regulations with regard to the Syria 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 Syria Sanctions. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.

Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy

Certain activities related to the Syria 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 Syria Sanctions.

  • Statements of Licensing Policy - On Activities Related to The Telecommunications And Agricultural Sectors Of Syria And Petroleum And Petroleum Products of Syrian Origin For The Benefit of The National Coalition Of Syrian Revolutionary And Opposition Forces or its Supporters​
  • 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 Syria 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 Syria Sanctions

The Syria 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. In addition to all of these authorities, OFAC may also implement United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) with regard to Syria.

Executive Orders

  • 14312 - Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions (Effective July 01, 2025)
  • 13608 - Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria​ (Effective May 01, 2012)
  • 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)
  • 13582 - Blocking Property of the Government of Syria and Prohibiting Certain Transactions with Respect to Syria (August 18, 2011)​
  • 13573 - Blocking Property Of Senior Officials Of The Government Of Syria (May 18, 2011)​
  • 13572 - Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to Human Rights Abuses in Syria (April 29, 2011)​
  • 13460 - Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection With the National Emergency With Respect to Syria (February 15, 2008)
  • 13399 - Blocking Property of Additional Persons in Connection With the National Emergency With Respect to Syria (April 26, 2006)
  • 13338 - Blocking Property of Certain Persons and Prohibiting the Export of Certain Goods to Syria (Effective May 12, 2004)

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

  • 31 CFR Parts 542 - Syrian Sanctions Regulations - Removed from the Code of Federal Regulations

Federal Register Notices

  • 89 FR 48310-24 - Publication of Final Rule Amending the Syrian Sanctions Regulations
  • 89 FR 48309-24 - Publication of the List of Areas of Northeast and Northwest Syria in Which Activities are Authorized by 31 CFR § 542.533
  • 88 FR 45816-23 - Publication of Covid-Related Web General Licenses Related to Syria Sanctions Regulations, Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, and Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
  • 88 FR 25278-23 - Publication of Syrian Sanctions Regulations Web General License 22
  • 88 FR 17727-23 - Publication of Syria Web General License 23
  • 87 FR 78470-22 - Publication of United States Government and International Organizations Official Business Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses
  • 87 FR 47932-22 - Publication of Covid-Related Web General Licenses Related to Syria Sanctions Regulations, Iran Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, and Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
  • 86 FR 67324-21 - Publication of Final Rule expanding existing authorization related to certain activities of nongovernmental organizations in Syria
  • 80 FR 19532-15 - Publication of Final Rule to authorize by general license certain activities relating to publishing
  • 79 FR 25414-14 - Publication of Final Rule in the Federal Register, amending and reissuing in their entirety the Syrian Sanctions Regulations
  • 78 FR 38097-13 - Publication of General License Related to the Syria Sanctions Program
  • 71 FR 29251-06 - Revisions to IEEPA made by the Combating Terrorism Financing Act of 2005
  • 70 FR 17201-05 - New regulations to implement Executive Order 13338

United Nations Security Council Resolutions

  • 1636 Reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security (October 31, 2005)
  • 1595 Reaffirming its unequivocal condemnation of the 14 February 2005 terrorist bombing in Beirut, Lebanon (April 07, 2005)