You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, June 1 Over the weekend on May 31, 2026, France imposed asset-freezing sanctions against one individual under France's autonomous counter-terrorims sanctions regime. (Here) FTI Consulting, a Washington D.C.-based global advisory firm, settled with OFAC for $1,050,000 for apparent violations of the Ukraine-/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations (URSR) under Directive 1 of E.O. 13662. The appar

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, May 25 There was no major development on this day. Tuesday, May 26 The EU Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/1149, amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/1484 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Russia. The decision does two things: first, it renews the existing measures for a further year until May 28, 2027; and second, it updates the identifying information and statements

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, May 18 The EU Council renewed the EU’s sanctions regime targeting individuals and entities linked to the former al-Assad regime in Syria until June 1, 2027 (Here and press release) OFAC announced a $275 million settlement with Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL), an Indian company, over apparent violations of U.S. Iran sanctions. Between November 2023 and June 2025, AEL allegedly imported 35 shi

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, May 11 The EU Council adopted Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1072 and imposed asset freezing sanctions on 16 persons and seven entities responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories. (Here, and press release) The EU Council, in a non-substantive move, extended its sanctions r

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, May 4 OFAC issued Venezuela-related General License 5W, "Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After June 19, 2026.” Once again OFAC delayed when U.S. persons could engage with the PdVSA named bond; this time to June 19, 2026. (Here) OFAC accordingly revised Venezuela-related FAQ 595. (Here) Tuesday, May 5 OFAC impos

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, April 27 The EU Council extended its Myanmar restrictive measures for another 12 months, until 30 April 2027, citing ongoing human rights violations and actions undermining democracy. The measures currently apply to 105 individuals and 22 entities. (Here, and Press Release) Tuesday, April 28 OFAC imposed blocking sanctions against 17 individuals (16 in Iran, one in UAE) and 18 entities (seve

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here. Monday, April 20 The UK government is making several amendments to various sanctions-related regulations to improve the clarity, consistency and strength of the UK's sanctions regulations. Specifically, the new amendments, which will come into force on May 13, will impact 36 of the UKs sanctions regimes. (The Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026) Tuesday, April 21 The EU

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, April 13 BIS reached an Administrative Enforcement Settlement with Coastal PVA Technology, Inc. The company exported semiconductor-related brushes to Chinese Entity List companies (SMIC Beijing and SMIC North) on 18 occasions without the required BIS license, due to inadequate export compliance controls. The company settled with BIS, admitting the violations and agreeing to a $1.7 million c

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, April 6 There was no major development on this day. Tuesday, April 7 In a major AML-related development, FinCEN issued a proposed rule that would significantly reshape how financial institutions design and operate their AML/CFT programs under the Bank Secrecy Act. The proposal supersedes FinCEN's July 2024 proposed rule, which is being withdrawn. The core shift is from "checkbox compliance"

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 30 OFAC issued amended Russia-related General License 131D under Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations, which extended General License 131C for one more month through May 1, 2026. As a reminder, this General License authorizes certain transactions pertaining to the negotiation of and entry into contingent contracts for the sale or transfer of Lukoil International Gm

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 23 OFSI published a new guidance document titled "How to use exceptions and licenses to comply with sanctions." The guidance explains the difference between exceptions and licenses under the UK sanctions regulations. ( Here ) Tuesday, March 24 OFAC issued Venezuela-related General License 53, "Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States." This General License

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You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 9 The U.S. Department of State designated the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The group was also designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective March 16, 2026. The armed wing of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, the al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, which was previously designated under the Sudan and Darfur sanctions program of

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, March 2 The EU Council extended the sanctions imposed pursuant to Decision 2014/119/CFSP, which imposes sanctions against certain persons, entities, and bodies in view of the situation in Ukraine, that were set to expire on March 6, 2026, for another year until March 6, 2027.( Here ) OFSI delisted Al-Nusra Front. ( Here ) OFAC imposed blocking sanctions against four individuals and one enti

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, February 23 On the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU's effort to introduce its 21st sanctions package against Russia fell short. However, the EU Council extended some of its sanctions against Russia that were set to expire on February 24, 2026, for another year until February 24, 2027. ( Here ) Furthermore, the EU Council imposed asset freezing sanctions against eight indi

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, February 16 The UK's government is seeking input regarding the ownership and control test under the UK's sanctions regulations across implementation, cost of compliance and how control appears in practice. ( Here ) This is a great opportunity for everyone, especially compliance professionals to share their view about the challenges associated with determining ownership under the UK sanction

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, February 9 OFSI updated its guidance on financial sanctions enforcement and monetary penalties to reflect the outcome of the UK's government consultation on improving civil enforcement processes. In short, the new guidance discusses the following changes: Early Account Scheme, Case Assessment, Monetary Penalty Process and Settlement Scheme, Financial Hardship, and Fixed Monetary Penalties.

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 26 OFSI announced a penalty of £160,000 on Bank of Scotland Plc. The bank had processed 28 transactions in breach of the UK's sanctions regulations related to Russia. These transactions related to a designated person. ( Here ) Tuesday, January 27 The U.S. Department of States announced that United States of America, along with 40 countries, gathered last week in Prague, the Czech R

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 19 There was no major development on this date. Tuesday, January 20 There was no major development on this date. Wednesday, January 21 OFAC imposed blocking sanctions against one individual and seven entities under the United States' counter-terrorism sanctions program. ( Here , and the Department of the Treasury's press release ) OFAC submits the 2025's forth quarter report pursuan

You can now listen to the audio version of our weekly sanctions updates here . Monday, January 12 The Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a mechanism established to monitor and report violations and evasions of United Nations sanctions on North Korea launched in 2024 after Russia vetoed the renewal of the UN 1718 Committee Panel of Experts mandate, presented its report on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's violation and evasion of UN sanctions through cyber and i