InfoBytes Blog
OFAC sanctions Iran’s foreign minister
On July 31, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13876, designated Iran’s foreign minister for allegedly acting on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. As previously covered by InfoBytes, in June, the President issued E.O. 13876, which, among other things, authorizes the Secretaries of the Treasury and State Departments to impose sanctions on a foreign financial institution if it is determined the institution has knowingly conducted or facilitated any significant financial transactions for or on behalf of a blocked person. OFAC noted that additional information also indicated the Iranian foreign minister had coordinated with the IRGC-Qods Force, which is designated pursuant to terrorism and human rights authorities.
As a result of the sanctions designation, “all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.” OFAC noted that persons who engage in transactions with designated individuals and entities may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to enforcement action.