Syria Sanctions - Inactive and Archived | Office of Foreign Assets Control

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:

Caesar Act Suspension: Directs the Secretary of State to examine whether to suspend the imposition of some or all of the sanctions required under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (Caesar Act). This follows the May 23, 2025 action by the Secretary of State to waive the imposition of certain sanctions described in the Caesar Act for 180 days.
Export Controls: Waives the requirements to impose certain export controls under the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 and the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act).
Counterterrorism and SST Designations: Directs the Secretary of State to take all appropriate action with respect to the designation of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), as well as the SDGT designation of Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, and Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
Assistance Restriction and Sanctions Waiver: Waives restrictions on Syria related to foreign assistance, U.S. government credit or other financial assistance, and loans and credit from U.S. financial institutions under the CBW Act.

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.

Sanctions Termination Executive Order

Executive Order - Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions (Effective July 01, 2025)

SYRIA SANCTIONS PROGRAM UPDATEs

On June 30, 2025, OFAC published the Fact Sheet Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Syria General License 25.

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 Risks Related to Petroleum Shipments involving Iran and Syria (September 11, 2024)
Guidance for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Syria (August 08, 2023)
Guidance to Address Illicit Shipping and Sanctions Evasion Practices (May 14, 2020)
- Non-English Translations of this Guidance
Updated Guidance on Sanctions Risks Related to Shipping Petroleum to Syria (March 25, 2019)
Sanctions Risks Related to Shipping Petroleum to Syria (November 20, 2018)

Sanctions Brochures

Sanctions Brochures are an overview of OFAC's regulations with regard to the Syria 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 OFAC's FAQ pages.

Syria Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
June 2025 Fact Sheet: Frequently Asked Questions for Syria General License 25 (Authorizing Transactions Prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations or Involving Certain Blocked Persons)
Questions Regarding Executive Order 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)
Questions Regarding Executive Order 13608 (Prohibiting Certain Transactions with and Suspending Entry into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders with Respect to Iran and Syria)
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 Syria Sanctions. 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

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.

Syria General License 22 - Authorizing Activities in Certain Economic Sectors in Non-Regime Held Areas of Northeast and Northwest Syria (May 12, 2022)
Syria General License 24 - Authorizing Transactions with Governing Institutions in Syria and Certain Transactions Related to Energy and Personal Remittances (January 06, 2025)
Syria General License 25 - Authorizing Transactions Prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations or Involving Certain Blocked Persons (May 23, 2025)
Archive of Expired General Licenses

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

Executive Order - 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

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)

Syria Sanctions - Inactive and Archived