Treasury Announces Updates to Iranian Sanctions

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Department of Treasury Publishes General Licenses for Iranian Sanctions

The United States Department of the Treasury has released important information about sanctions relating to Iran. Specifically, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has published general licenses (GLs) S and T. These licenses relate to the Iranian sanctions program and were made available on the OFAC website.

Details of General License S

General License S was issued on December 18, 2025. This license allows certain transactions that were previously banned under Executive Order 13902. Executive Order 13902, issued on January 10, 2020, pertains to additional sectors of Iran. License S was valid until January 18, 2026.

GL S permits:

  • Safe docking and anchoring of blocked vessels in specific ports, excluding ports in Iran, Russia, Venezuela, or those under the control of these countries.
  • Activities necessary for the health or safety of the vessel crew.
  • Emergency repairs and environmental protection for the blocked vessels.
  • Delivery and offloading of cargo loaded before December 18, 2025, as long as it is not of Iranian origin and does not occur in the excluded ports.

However, GL S does not allow:

  • New commercial contracts involving blocked persons.
  • Any other transactions prohibited by Executive Order 13902 or other regulations.

Details of General License T

General License T was issued on January 23, 2026. It similarly authorizes certain transactions banned by Executive Order 13902. This authorization was valid until February 22, 2026.

GL T allows:

  • Safe docking and anchoring of blocked vessels, with the same port exclusions as in GL S.
  • Preservation of crew health or safety.
  • Emergency repairs and environmental protection activities.
  • Delivery and offloading of cargo loaded before January 23, 2026, that is not of Iranian origin and excludes the blacklisted ports.

However, GL T does not permit:

  • The entry into new commercial contracts with blocked persons.
  • Any actions or transactions that Executive Order 13902 prohibits.

Blocked Persons and Vessels

The licenses also include a list of blocked persons and vessels. These are entities and ships that cannot engage in new commercial activities that are not specifically authorized by the licenses. For example, companies like Phoenix Ship Management FZE and vessels such as NEBULA DRIFT and AETHER SAIL are listed under GL S. Under GL T, entities such as Horizon Harvest Shipping LLC and vessels like SEA BIRD are included.

Both General Licenses play a crucial part in the ongoing management of Iranian sanctions. The Department of the Treasury remains committed to its sanctions enforcement to ensure compliance and mitigate risks associated with listed entities.

For more information, further details can be found on the official OFAC website.


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