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Financial Services Law Insights and Observations

OFAC issues Iran nuclear and ballistic missile program sanctions

Financial Crimes OFAC Department of Treasury Of Interest to Non-US Persons Sanctions Iran OFAC Designations

Financial Crimes

On September 21, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three high-ranking individuals of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), numerous AEOI subsidiaries, equipment supply companies, and various senior officials working on Iran’s missile programs pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, which allows for sanctions for engaging in or supporting the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFAC further warned foreign financial institutions that knowingly facilitating significant transactions or providing significant support to the designated entities may subject them to sanctions and could sever access to the U.S. financial system.

In addition, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced a new Executive Order titled, "Blocking Property of Certain Persons with Respect to the Conventional Arms Activities of Iran,” which authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in conjunction with the Secretary of State, to impose asset blocking sanctions on any person engaged in any activity that materially contributes to the supply, sale, or transfer of destabilizing conventional weapons and acquisition of arms and related materiel by Iran.