Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is indefinitely suspending five general licenses issued pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations to align with changes in the foreign policy of the United States towards Iran.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54957-54958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17426]



[[Page 54957]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Office of Foreign Assets Control

31 CFR Part 560


Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations

AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule; stay of effectiveness.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets 
Control (OFAC) is indefinitely suspending five general licenses issued 
pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations to align 
with changes in the foreign policy of the United States towards Iran.

DATES: Effective August 24, 2026, 31 CFR 560.544, 560.550, and 560.554 
are stayed indefinitely.
    As of August 24, 2026, the effectiveness of the Iran General 
Licenses F and G, published at 79 FR 11180 and 79 FR 49157, 
respectively, and available on OFAC's website (<a href="https://ofac.treasury.gov">https://ofac.treasury.gov</a>), are stayed indefinitely.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OFAC: Assistant Director for 
Regulatory Affairs, 202-622-4855; or <a href="https://ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac">https://ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Availability

    This document and additional information concerning OFAC are 
available on OFAC's website: <a href="https://ofac.treasury.gov">https://ofac.treasury.gov</a>.

Background

    On October 22, 2012, OFAC issued a final rule that amended the 
former Iranian Transactions Regulations, 31 CFR part 560 (ITR), and 
reissued them in their entirety as the Iranian Transactions and 
Sanctions Regulations (ITSR or ``the Regulations'') (77 FR 64664, 
October 22, 2012). Since then, OFAC has amended the Regulations on 
several occasions.
    On February 27, 2014, OFAC published in the Federal Register 
General License F, which was issued pursuant to the Regulations on 
September 10, 2013 (79 FR 11180, February 27, 2014). On August 19, 
2014, OFAC published in the Federal Register General License G, which 
was issued pursuant to the Regulations on March 19, 2014 (79 FR 49157, 
August 19, 2014). These general licenses were issued pursuant to the 
Regulations and are available on OFAC's website (<a href="http://www.treasury.gov/ofac">www.treasury.gov/ofac</a>).

Rules To Be Stayed

    In response to Iran's continued disruptions to global energy 
markets, attacks on partners and allies in the Middle East, 
reconstitution of its conventional and nuclear weapons programs, 
efforts to monetize the Strait of Hormuz, and continued support to 
terrorist proxies, OFAC is indefinitely suspending the general licenses 
contained at 31 CFR 560.544, 560.550, and 560.554. These general 
licenses authorize, respectively, certain educational activities by 
U.S. persons in third countries; certain noncommercial, personal 
remittances to or from Iran; and the importation and exportation of 
services related to conferences in the United States or third 
countries. As a result of this suspension, any such transactions are no 
longer authorized by OFAC as of August 24, 2026.
    In addition, OFAC is suspending indefinitely Iran General License 
F, published at 79 FR 11180, and Iran General License G, published at 
79 FR 49157. These general licenses authorize, respectively, certain 
services in support of professional and amateur sports activities and 
exchanges involving the United and Iran, and certain academic exchanges 
and the exportation or importation of certain educational services. As 
a result of this suspension, any such transactions are no longer 
authorized by OFAC as of August 24, 2026.

Public Participation

    Because the Regulations involve a foreign affairs function, the 
provisions of E.O. 12866 of September 30, 1993, ``Regulatory Planning 
and Review'' (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), as amended, and the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) requiring notice of 
proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public participation, and delay in 
effective date, as well as the provisions of E.O. 14192 of January 31, 
2025, ``Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation'' (90 FR 9065, 
February 6, 2025) and E.O. 14219 of February 19, 2025, ``Ensuring 
Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of 
Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative'' (90 FR 10583, February 
25, 2025) are inapplicable. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is 
required for this rule, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-
612) does not apply.

Executive Order 14294

    Section 5 of E.O. 14294 of May 9, 2025, ``Fighting 
Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations'' (90 FR 20367, May 14, 
2025) directs that all future notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) 
and final rules published in the Federal Register, the violation of 
which may constitute criminal regulatory offenses, should include a 
statement identifying that the rule or proposed rule is a criminal 
regulatory offense and the authorizing statute. E.O. 14294 directs 
agencies to draft this statement in consultation with the Department of 
Justice.
    E.O. 14294 further directs that the regulatory text of all NPRMs 
and final rules with criminal consequences published in the Federal 
Register after May 9, 2025 should explicitly state a mens rea 
requirement for each element of a criminal regulatory offense, 
accompanied by citations to the relevant provisions of the authorizing 
statute.
    Willful violations of the regulations set forth in this final rule 
may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1705 and 
regulations promulgated thereunder. The statutory authority for 
criminal liability requires a mens rea of willfulness as an element 
pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1705(c). In drafting this statement, OFAC has 
consulted with the Department of Justice.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this rule does 
not impose information collection requirements that would require the 
approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.

List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 560

    Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, banking, Blocking of 
assets, Credit, Foreign trade, Iran, Sanctions, Services.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, OFAC amends 31 CFR part 
560 as follows:

PART 560--IRANIAN TRANSACTIONS AND SANCTIONS REGULATIONS

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1. The authority citation for part 560 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 2339B, 2332d; 22 U.S.C. 
2349aa-9, 7201-7211, 8501-8551, 8701-8795; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 
U.S.C. 1601-1651, 1701-1706; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as 
amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 12613, 52 FR 41940, 3 CFR, 1987 
Comp., p. 256; E.O. 12957, 60 FR 14615, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 332; 
E.O. 12959, 60 FR 24757, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 356; E.O. 13059, 62 
FR 44531, 3 CFR, 1997 Comp., p. 217; E.O. 13599, 77 FR 6659, 3 CFR, 
2012 Comp., p. 215; E.O. 13846, 83 FR 38939, 3 CFR, 2018 Comp., p. 
854.

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Subpart E--Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing 
Policy


Sec. Sec.  560.544, 560.550, and 560.554   [Stayed]

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2. Sections 560.544, 560.550, and 560.554 are stayed indefinitely.

Bradley T. Smith,
Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury.
[FR Doc. 2026-17426 Filed 8-24-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4810-AL-P


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