Monday, June 26
The EU Council imposed blocking sanctions on seven Iranian individuals for their involvement in the crack-down on the people of Iran following the murder of Mahsa Amini by the Morality Policy. (Decision, and press release)
OFSI extended General Liceses INT/2022/1710676 (concerning Evraz North American Subsidiaries) till March 21, 2024. It also amended General Licence INT/2022/1875276 (concerning Telecommunications Services and News Media Services) that impacted those considered Designated Persons under the General License.
OFSI published new guidance on the Protection of Trading Interests which discusses the so-called blocking regulations of the UK. (Here) Note that the regulations are not new and those protections were already in place.
OFSI updated its Belarus sanctions guidance by adding new licensing grounds. (Here)
Tuesday, June 27
OFAC imposed blocking sanctions on one individual and four entities connected to the Wagner Group and were engaged in illicit gold trade that founded the Wagner Group. Concurrently, the United States issued a new multi-agency Africa Gold Advisory to call out the risks related to the role of illicit actors in the gold trade, including that of the Wagner Group. (Here, the Department of the Treasury's press release, the Department of State's press release related to the new sanctions, and the Department of State's press release related to the new advisory)
Wednesday, June 28
OFAC and OFSI issued a joint Humanitarian Assistance and Food Security Fact Sheet to provide additional clarity on U.S. and UK Russia-related sanctions and the relevant authorizations, exceptions, and public guidance. (Here)
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced their agreement to enhance their formal cooperation on export control enforcement. (Press release)
Thursday, June 29
There was no major development on this day.
Friday, June 30
OFSI updated General Trade Licence related to the earthquake relief efforts in Syria and Turkey by removing the expiration date of the License. (Here)
The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2023 came into force. The new regulations, among other things, prohibited UK persons or persons in the UK from providing legal advisory services in relation to certain financial or trade activity which would be prohibited under the UK sanctions regime if the activity was done by a UK person or was taking place in the UK. Following its entry into force, OFSI updated its guidance on "Providing professional and business services to a person connected with Russia." (Regulations, and updated guidance)
Recommendations of the Week
Take a look at the updated "gray list" FATF: Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring - 23 June 2023
Two digital assets-related recommendations for this week: