Transnational Sanctions
Transnational sanctions are thematic programmes that target conduct rather than a single country: terrorism, narcotics, cyber-attacks, proliferation, human rights abuses, corruption and organized crime, wherever they occur. This guide summarizes the active transnational regimes maintained by the UN, EU, OFAC, OFSI and SECO.
Use the search and filters below to move between thematic regimes. Each entry summarizes the sanctioning body, targets, exemptions, and links to the underlying legislation.
This guide is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Always confirm current designations against the primary sources linked in each entry before acting.
Chemical Weapons
The Chemical Weapons (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
The UK Chemical Weapons sanctions program makes provisions for the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons,
entities or bodies involved in the proliferation and use of chemical weapons.
Correspondent Account or Payable-Through Account Sanctions
CAPTA Sanctions
Restrictions vary from entity to entity. The CAPTA List specifies the specific prohibition or strict conditions to which the foreign financial institutions are subject.
- List of Targets on CAPTA List
- Russia-related Directive 2 – Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation
- Section 510.210 of North Korea Sanctions Regulations
- Section 5 of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, as amended by section 226 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017
- Sections 1244, 1245, and 1247 of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012
- Sections 561.201, 561.203, and 561.204 of the Iranian Financial Sanctions Regulations
- Section 566.201 of the Hezbollah Financial Sanctions Regulations
- Sections 2 and 6 of Executive Order 13846 – Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Regard to Iran
Counter Narcotics
Narcotics Sanctions Program
On 22nd January 2026, OFAC sanctioned five Costa Rican nationals and five Costa Rica-based entities for their roles in large-scale cocaine trafficking and money laundering linked to shipments bound for the US and Europe. Those designated include Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba and Jordie Kevin Picado Grijalba, leaders of one of the Caribbean’s largest narcotics trafficking organisations.
On 19th February 2026, OFAC sanctioned a CJNG-linked timeshare fraud network, targeting Mexican resort Kovay Gardens, five individuals, and 17 associated companies. The action alleged that the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación used the resort and affiliated call centers to defraud primarily older US citizens through timeshare resale and re-victimization scams, generating significant illicit revenue.
• Any foreign person determined to be involved in international narcotics trafficking or supporting such activities.
- OFAC Counter Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions
- Narcotics Trafficking Sanctions Regulations
- Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations
- Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Sanctions Regulations
- List of Sanctions Pursuant to the Kingpin Act
- Executive Order 14059 – Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade (15/12/2021)
- Executive Order 12978 – Blocking Assets and Prohibiting Transactions With Significant Narcotics Traffickers (22/10/1995)
- List of Sanctions Pursuant to Executive Order 12978
- Charts of Players In and Structures of Narcotics Trafficking Organisations
- FinCEN Supplemental Advisory on the Procurement of Precursor Chemicals and Manufacturing Equipment Used for the Synthesis of Illicit Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids
Counter Terrorism
UN Sanctions for Preventing Terrorism
• Persons and entities deemed to be linked to or supporting Al-Qaeda or ISIS/Daesh.
2. Exemptions to the Asset Freeze for basic and extraordinary expenses may be applied by the Daesh and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee on a case by case basis.
Restrictive Measures Directed Against Certain Persons And Entities With A View To Combating Terrorism
• Those determined to be involved in the preparation, carrying out or funding of acts of terrorism, including any entities deemed to be associated with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, ISIS/Daesh or the Taliban. Includes prohibitions on travel and the provision of arms or related materiel to these entities.
2. Asset freeze exemptions are also permitted for humanitarian purposes, basic expenses, the provision of legal and professional services, fees for holding of frozen funds and for the satisfaction of judicial, administrative or arbitral liens or judgments dated before the party in question was listed.
Measures against entities and persons supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
• Persons and entities supporting Hamas of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This programme includes asset freezes and travel bans.
Measures against entities and persons linked to the Taliban
• Persons and entities linked to the Taliban. This programme includes a prohibition on the supply of arms and related material and travel bans.
Measures against entities and persons linked to ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaeda, and others suspected of international terrorism or its financing
• Persons and entities linked to ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaeda or others suspected of international terrorism or its financing. This programme includes a prohibition on the supply of arms and related material and travel bans.
Executive Orders Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions
On 16th January 2026, OFAC sanctioned 21 individuals and entities and identified one vessel for providing oil products, weapons, dual-use equipment, and financial services to Ansarallah (the Houthis), an Iran-backed terrorist organisation.
On 21st January 2026, OFAC sanctioned multiple organisations and individuals for operating covert financial and support networks on behalf of Hamas. The action targeted six Gaza-based organisations falsely posing as humanitarian charities and the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, a Hamas-controlled front organisation involved in international fundraising and advocacy activities.
On 10th February 2026, the OFAC sanctioned Hizballah finance operatives for exploiting Lebanon’s informal financial sector to generate revenue and facilitate sanctions evasion through the Hizballah-controlled institution Al-Qard Al-Hassan and an Iran-based finance operative.
On 19th February 2026, OFAC sanctioned three commanders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for their roles in atrocities committed during the 18-month siege and October 2025 capture of El-Fasher, North Darfur. The designated individuals—Elfateh Abdullah Idris Adam, Gedo Hamdan Ahmed Mohamed, and Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed—were linked to ethnic killings, torture, sexual violence, and other serious abuses against civilians.
• Foreign persons determined to have committed or to pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals or the national security, foreign policy or economy of the US and those providing material support to such activities.
2. OFAC permits humanitarian transactions in Iran with the direct or indirect involvement of the Central Bank of Iran.
3. OFAC also permits payments from funds originating from outside the United States for the provision of certain legal services to or on behalf of blocked persons. Transactions involving property and interests in the property of the Government of Iran or Iranian financial institutions are also authorised.
4. General Licence 8, introduced on 27th February 2020, permits certain humanitarian transactions that involve the Central Bank of Iran, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by OFAC.
5. On 10th December 2021 OFAC issued General License 16 which authorised transactions involving the Taliban or the Haqqani Network that are necessary to the transfer of non-commercial personal remittances to Afghanistan.
6. On 22nd December 2021 OFAC issued General Licenses 17, 18, and 19 adding to the exemption for personal remittance an exemption for the provision of humanitarian assistance to a range of civil society bodies under the control of the Taliban or Haqqani network.
7. On 15th November 2022 OFAC issued General License 21 authorising limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain vessels that are prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. On 14th December 2022 OFAC issued General License 21A updating the exemptions laid out in General License 21.
8. On 12th January 2023 OFAC issued General License 21B, authorising until 13th April 2023 limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain individuals and vessels which are subject to Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. This includes transactions necessary to the safe docking and anchoring of any of the sanctioned vessels in port; the preservation of the health and safety of the crew of any sanctioned vessel; emergency repairs of any sanctioned vessel; or environmental mitigation or protection activities related to any sanctioned vessel.
- OFAC Counter Terrorism Sanctions
- Foreign Terrorist Organizations Sanctions Regulations
- Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations
- Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations
- Hezbollah Financial Sanctions Regulations
- Executive Order 12947 – Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process (January 23, 1995)
- Executive Order 13099 – Prohibiting Transactions With Terrorists Who Threaten To Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process (21/08/1998)
- Executive Order 13224 – Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism (24/09/2001)
- Executive Order 13268 – Termination of Emergency With Respect to the Taliban and Amendment of Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001 (02/07/2002)
- Executive Order 13372 – Clarification of Certain Executive Orders Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions (16/02/2005)
- Executive Order 13886 – Modernizing Sanctions to Combat Terrorism (10/09/2019)
Non-SDN Palestinian Legislative Council Sanctions
US financial institutions are required to reject transactions with members of the Palestinian Legislative Council who were elected on the party slate of Hamas, or any other Foreign Terrorist Organization, Specially Designated Terrorist, or Specially Designated Global Terrorist, provided that any such individuals are not named on OFAC's list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List).
UK sanctions relating to domestic and international counter-terrorism
• Those determined to be involved in the preparation, carrying out or funding of acts of terrorism, including any entities deemed to be associated with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, ISIS or the Taliban. Includes prohibitions on travel and the provision of arms or related materiel to these entities.
2. Asset freeze exemptions are also permitted for humanitarian purposes, basic expenses, the provision of legal and professional services, fees for holding of frozen funds and for the satisfaction of judicial, administrative or arbitral liens or judgments dated before the party in question was listed.
Cyber
Specially Designated National of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities
On 19th November 2025 OFAC, in coordination with Australia and the UK sanctioned Media Land, a Russia-based bulletproof hosting service provider, for its role in supporting ransomware operations and other forms of cybercrime. OFAC also designated three members of Media Land’s leadership team and three of its sister companies in coordination with the FBI.
On 24th February 2026, OFAC sanctioned Russian national Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk, his company Matrix LLC, doing business as Operation Zero, and five associated individuals and entities for acquiring and selling stolen US government cyber tools. The network traded in zero-day exploits, including at least eight proprietary tools stolen from a U.S. company between 2022 and 2025 and sold to unauthorised users.
• Individuals involved in cyber-enabled activities likely to contribute to a significant threat to US national security, foreign policy, economic health or financial stability. This includes the theft of trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information and those who benefit from such theft.
2. On March 2nd 2021 OFAC issued General License 1B permitting certain transactions with the FSB for administrative reasons, as long as said transactions do not exceed $5,000 per calendar year.
- OFAC Cyber-Related Sanctions
- Cyber-Related Sanctions Regulations
- Executive Order 13694 – Blocking the Property of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities (01/04/2015)
- Executive Order 13757 – Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency with Respect to Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities (28/12/2016)
- Executive Order 14067 – Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets (09/03/2022)
- General License 1C – Authorizing Certain Transactions with the Federal Security Service (27/04/2023)
- Sanctions Compliance Guidance for the Virtual Currency Industry
- Advisory on Sanctions Risk of Facilitating Ransomware Payments
- North Korea Cyber Threat Advisory
- Executive Order 14144- Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation's Cybersecurity
Restrictive Measures Against Cyber-Attacks Threatening The Union or its Member States
• Individuals and/or entities responsible for cyber-attacks or attempted cyber-attacks, as well as those involved in or offering financial, technical or material support for these attacks and those who assist, encourage, facilitate or are associated with them.
The Cyber (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Individuals and entities involved in cyber activity which:
•Undermines, or is intended to undermine, the integrity, prosperity or security of the UK or a country other than the UK;
•Directly or indirectly causes, or is intended to cause harm, economic loss, or prejudice to the commercial interests of those affected by the cyber activity;
•Undermines, or is intended to undermine, the independence or effective functioning of an international organisation, or an NGO or forum whose mandate relates to the governance of international sport or the internet;
•Otherwise affects a significant number of persons in an indiscriminate manner.
2. Exemptions apply to activity which is in the interests of national security or the prevention or detection of serious crime in the UK or elsewhere.
3. Prohibitions do not apply to anything done under the authority of a licence issued by the Treasury.
4. Prohibitions do not apply if the conduct is authorised by a licence or other authorisation which is issued under the law of the relevant British overseas territory and for the purpose of disapplying a prohibition in that jurisdiction which corresponds to the relevant prohibition.
Foreign Interference in a United States Election
Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election
• Any foreign person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General and the Security of Homeland Security to have directly or indirectly engaged in foreign interference in a US election. Those deemed to have provided financial assistance or technological support for above persons are also sanctioned.
Foreign Sanctions Evaders
Foreign Sanctions Evaders List
• Transactions by US persons or within the US involving individuals and entities on the Foreign Sanctions Evaders list are prohibited.
Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions
Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021
• Any person or entity responsible for facilitating, engaging in, concealing or providing financial services that will contribute to corrupt activity in a country outside the UK.
Global Human Rights
Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018
• Any individuals or entities whose activities which, if carried out by or on behalf of a state within the territory of that state, would amount to a serious violation by that State of an individual’s right to life, right not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, right to be free from slavery, or not to be held in servitude or required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
Global Human Rights Sanctions
• Any individuals, entities or bodies responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they occurred. It applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses. Other human rights violations or abuses can also fall under the scope of this sanctions regime, if they are widespread, systematic or otherwise of serious concern as regards the objectives of the EU common foreign and security policy.
Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking In Persons
Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking In Persons
• Any individuals, entities or bodies involved in or associated with people smuggling, human trafficking or the instrumentalisation of migration for the purpose of destabilisation, as well as criminal activities which facilitate, promote or provide support for such smuggling, trafficking or instrumentalisation or which are intended to do so.
Global Magnitsky
Specially Designated Nationals on Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption
• Individuals determined to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, certain human rights abuses or corrupt acts anywhere in the world.
• On 20th December 2017 an Executive Order was issued by then-President Trump, declaring a national emergency with respect to serious human rights abuses and corruption globally, and implementing the provisions of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, signed into law on 23rd December 2016. The sanctions, effective from 21st December 2017, comprise financial sanctions and visa restrictions on persons deemed to be corrupt or accountable for human rights abuses.
2. General Licence 7,authorises certain transactions involving Tabacalera del Este SA or Tabacos USA Inc pursuant to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
3. General License 8 authorises transactions involving any entity
that is blocked solely due to a property interest of Ly Yong Phat (Ly) or L.Y.P. Group Co., LTD (L.Y.P. Group) or any entity in which Ly or L.Y.P. Group owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest.
Hostages and Wrongfully Detained U.S. Nationals
Bolstering Efforts To Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained United States Nationals Home
• Any individuals, entities or bodies found to be responsible for or complicit in, to have directly or indirectly engaged in, or to be responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the hostage-taking of a United States national or the wrongful detention of a United States national abroad.
International Criminal Court
Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court
• Any person or entity who has directly engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a protected person without consent of that person’s country of nationality
• Any person or entity who has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of people in the above category
• Any entity that is owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to the order
Magnitsky
Magnitsky Rule Of Law Accountability Act Of 2012
• Russian officials determined to be responsible for Magnitsky’s death in custody.
• On 21st December 2017 OFAC added regulations to implement certain provisions of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. These included prohibited transactions involving blocked property; effect of transfers violating such provisions; the holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts, as well as those used for investment and re-investment; expenses of maintaining blocked physical property and liquidation of such property; evasions, attempts, causing violations and conspiracies; and exempt transactions.
Non-Proliferation
Restrictive Measures Against The Proliferation And Use Of Chemical Weapons
• Any individuals or entities responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons as well as those who provide financial, technical or material support for such activities and those who assist or who are associated with them.
Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters
On 12th November 2025 OFAC designated 32 individuals and entities based in Iran, the UAE, Türkiye, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine that operate multiple procurement networks supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle production. The key target was the multinational procurement network centered around a three‑person venture known as the MVM Partnership.
On 30th December 2025, OFAC sanctioned 10 individuals and entities in Iran and Venezuela for supporting Iran’s UAV and missile programs, including the sale of Iranian-designed combat drones to Venezuela, chemical procurement for ballistic missiles, and IRGC-linked defense conglomerates.
On 25th February 2026, OFAC sanctioned more than 30 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in facilitating illicit Iranian petroleum exports and supporting Iran’s ballistic missile and advanced conventional weapons programmes. The action targeted 12 shadow fleet vessels and related companies transporting Iranian oil and petrochemicals, as well as procurement networks in Iran, Türkiye, and the UAE supplying materials, machinery, and financial services to the IRGC and MODAFL, including UAV and missile programmes.
• Any individuals found to be involved in the proliferation of material or knowledge relating to the construction of weapons of mass destruction and their wider support networks.
2. On 30th September 2020 OFAC issued amendments to the programme entitled Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters.
- OFAC Non-Proliferation Sanctions
- Overview of Sanctions
- Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators Sanctions Regulations
- Weapons of Mass Destruction Trade Control Regulations
- Executive Order 12938 – Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (14/11/1994)
- Executive Order 13094 – Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (29/07/1998)
- Executive Order 13382 – Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters (29/06/2005)
- Executive Order 13608 – Prohibiting Certain Transactions With And Suspending Entry Into The United States Of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect To Iran And Syria (01/05/2012)
- Executive Order 13883 – Administration of Proliferation Sanctions and Amendment of Executive Order 12851 (03/08/2019)
- General License 2 – Authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Dandle and the MV Decretive Vessels
- General License 4 – Exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, or medical devices to Iran through any Iranian port operated by Tidewater Middle East Company is authorized in certain circumstances.
- General License 5C – Authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Dianthe Vessel
- General License 6 – Authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the MV Uppercourt Vessel
- General License 8 – Authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the of the AMIN Crude Oil Tanker
- General License 9 – Authorizing certain transactions related to the arrest, detention, and judicial sale of the Motor Vessel SININ
Rough Diamonds
Rough Diamond Trade Restrictions
• The importation, export and storage of rough diamonds requires a tamper-proof certificate. Trade in rough diamonds is allowed only with countries participating in the Kimberly Process.
Rough Diamonds Control Regulations
• Prohibits the importation into and export from the US of any rough diamonds not controlled through the Kimberley Process.
Transnational Criminal
Specially Designated Nationals of Transnational Criminal Organizations
On 3rd December 2025, OFAC sanctioned a money-laundering and support network linked to Venezuela-based terrorist organisation Tren de Aragua, including entertainers, financial facilitators, and front companies, for providing material support, laundering drug proceeds, and enabling the group’s transnational criminal and terrorist activities.
On 17th December 2025, OFAC sanctioned Mexico-based Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima and its leader Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz for fuel and oil theft, violence, and transnational criminal activity.
• Foreign entities determined to constitute significant transnational criminal organisations or to have materially assisted such organisations.
- OFAC Transnational Criminal Organisations
- Overview of Sanctions
- Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions Regulations
- Executive Order 13581 – Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations (25/07/2011)
- Executive Order 13863 – Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to Significant Transnational Criminal Organizations (15/03/2019)
- Hernandez Salas Human Smuggling Network – June 2023
- MS-13 Honduras Chart – February 2023
- Counter Terrorism Designations and Designation Update; Transnational Criminal Organizations Designations – July 2025
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