Sanctions Watch | Weekly Vol. 160

Sanctions Watch Vol 160

In the latest edition of our Sanctions Watch weekly digest, we present significant updates on sanction watchlists and regulatory developments.

OFAC Reports 322 Iran-Related TSRA License Applications in Q2 FY2026, Issues Three Export Licenses

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has released its Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Report on Licensing Activities under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA), covering the period from January to March 2026. During the quarter, OFAC received 322 license applications for the export of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices to Iran. The agency issued 298 licensing determinations, including three export licenses (two for agricultural commodities and one for a medical device), two return-without-action letters, and one general license guidance letter, with no license amendments or denials issued. The report highlights the continued administration of TSRA licensing for humanitarian exports to Iran while providing transparency into OFAC’s licensing activities.

OFAC Launches Online Reconsideration Portal to Streamline Sanctions Delisting Requests

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has launched a new online Reconsideration Portal to simplify and accelerate the submission of requests for removal from OFAC sanctions lists. The portal guides petitioners to provide all required information at the time of submission, reducing delays caused by follow-up information requests. It also enables listed persons to request certain unclassified, non-privileged information related to their sanctions designation through a “courtesy document.” Alongside the portal launch, OFAC has updated its website, revised FAQ 897, introduced FAQ 1261, and published new guidance on delisting petition best practices and required submission information. The agency stated that the portal is part of broader efforts to improve transparency and efficiency in the sanctions reconsideration process and encouraged users to adopt the new platform ahead of its planned transition away from email-based submissions.

EU Announces Alignment of Nine Partner Countries with Expanded Russia Sanctions

The Council of the European Union has issued a statement confirming that several European countries have aligned themselves with the EU’s latest restrictive measures concerning the situation in Russia. The statement follows the Council’s adoption of Decision (CFSP) 2026/1363 on 15 June 2026, which expands the existing sanctions framework by adding 15 individuals and one entity to the list of persons and organizations subject to EU restrictive measures. These additional listings are incorporated into the annex of Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484, reinforcing the European Union’s ongoing sanctions regime in response to developments related to Russia. The countries aligning with the decision include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine. By aligning with the Council Decision, these states have committed to ensuring that their national policies remain consistent with the EU’s sanctions measures, demonstrating broad regional support for the Union’s foreign policy objectives. The European Union welcomed these commitments, emphasizing the importance of coordinated implementation of restrictive measures to strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of the sanctions framework across participating European countries.

EU Extends Haiti Sanctions Framework Until July 2027 Amid Ongoing Security Crisis

The Council of the European Union has extended its framework of restrictive measures targeting individuals and entities responsible for undermining peace, security, democracy, and the rule of law in Haiti until 29 July 2027. The decision follows the Council’s annual review and reflects continued concern over the country’s deteriorating security situation, marked by persistent criminal activity, escalating gang violence, and growing instability that threatens both Haiti and the wider region. Under the current sanctions regime, nine individuals and one entity remain subject to an asset freeze, prohibiting the direct or indirect provision of funds or economic resources to them. Listed individuals are also subject to a travel ban preventing entry into or transit through the European Union. The sanctions framework builds on Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, adopted in November 2022 to implement United Nations Security Council sanctions, and was expanded in July 2023 to allow the EU to impose autonomous sanctions. Alongside these measures, the EU reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to supporting Haiti through macroeconomic assistance, humanitarian aid, education, food security, disaster preparedness, institutional capacity building, and support for the Haitian National Police to help address the country’s ongoing crisis.

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Sanctions Watch is a weekly recap of events and news related to sanctions around the world.