Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Foreign Assets Control 31 CFR Part 560 Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury. ACTION: Final rule; stay of effectiveness. SUMMARY: The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is indefinitely suspending three general licenses and one licensing policy issued pursuant to the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations to align with changes in the foreign policy of the United States towards Iran. DATES: Effective September 8, 2026, 31 CFR 560.522, 560.528, and 560.529 are stayed indefinitely. As of September 8, 2026, the effectiveness of Iran General License J– 1, which is available on OFAC’s website (https://ofac.treasury.gov), is stayed indefinitely. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
OFAC: Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs, 202–622–4855; or https:// ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Electronic Availability This document and additional information concerning OFAC are available on OFAC’s website: https:// ofac.treasury.gov. Background On October 22, 2012, OFAC issued a final rule that amended the former Iranian Transactions Regulations, 31 CFR part 560 (ITR), and reissued them in their entirety as the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR or ‘‘the Regulations’’) (77 FR 64664, October 22, 2012). Since then, OFAC has amended the Regulations on several occasions. On December 15, 2016, OFAC published on its website General License J–1, which was issued pursuant to the Regulations. This general license is available on OFAC’s website (www.treasury.gov/ofac). Rules To Be Stayed In response to Iran’s continued disruptions to global energy markets, attacks on partners and allies in the Middle East, reconstitution of its conventional and nuclear weapons programs, efforts to monetize the Strait of Hormuz, and continued support to terrorist proxies, OFAC is indefinitely suspending the general licenses and licensing policy contained at 31 CFR 560.522, 560.528, and 560.529. These general licenses and licensing policy authorize, respectively, certain payments for overflights of Iranian airspace; the issuance of specific licenses for certain transactions related to aircraft safety; and bunkering and emergency repairs. As a result of this suspension, any such transactions are no longer authorized by OFAC as of September 8, 2026. In addition, OFAC is suspending indefinitely Iran General License J–1, published on OFAC’s website on December 15, 2016. Iran General License J–1 authorizes the reexportation of certain civil aircraft to Iran on temporary sojourn, as well as related transactions. As a result of this suspension, any such transactions are no longer authorized by OFAC as of September 8, 2026. Public Participation Because the Regulations involve a foreign affairs function, the provisions of E.O. 12866 of September 30, 1993, ‘‘Regulatory Planning and Review’’ (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), as amended, and the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) requiring notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public participation, and delay in effective date, as well as the provisions of E.O. 14192 of January 31, 2025, ‘‘Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation’’ (90 FR 9065, February 6, 2025) and E.O. 14219 of February 19, 2025, ‘‘Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Deregulatory Initiative’’ (90 FR 10583, February 25, 2025), are inapplicable. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612) does not apply. Executive Order 14294
Section 5 of E.O. 14294 of May 9,
2025, ‘‘Fighting Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations’’ (90 FR 20367, May 14, 2025), directs that all future notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) and final rules published in the Federal Register, the violation of which may constitute criminal regulatory offenses, should include a statement identifying that the rule or proposed rule is a criminal regulatory offense and the authorizing statute. E.O. 14294 directs agencies to draft this statement in consultation with the Department of Justice. E.O. 14294 further directs that the regulatory text of all NPRMs and final rules with criminal consequences

published in the Federal Register after May 9, 2025 should explicitly state a mens rea requirement for each element of a criminal regulatory offense, accompanied by citations to the relevant provisions of the authorizing statute. Willful violations of the regulations set forth in this final rule may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1705 and regulations promulgated thereunder. The statutory authority for criminal liability requires a mens rea of willfulness as an element pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1705(c). In drafting this statement, OFAC has consulted with the Department of Justice. Paperwork Reduction Act The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this rule does not impose information collection requirements that would require the approval of the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. List of Subjects in 31 CFR Part 560 Administrative practice and procedure, Banks, Banking, Blocking of assets, Credit, Foreign trade, Iran, Sanctions, Services. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, OFAC amends 31 CFR part 560 as follows:
PART 560—IRANIAN TRANSACTIONS
AND SANCTIONS REGULATIONS

• 1. The authority citation for part 560
     continues to read as follows:
     Authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 2339B, 2332d; 22 U.S.C. 2349aa–9, 7201–7211, 8501–8551, 8701–8795; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. 1601–1651, 1701–1706; Pub. L. 101– 410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 12613, 52 FR 41940, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 256; E.O. 12957, 60 FR 14615, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 332; E.O. 12959, 60 FR 24757, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 356; E.O. 13059, 62 FR 44531, 3 CFR, 1997 Comp., p. 217; E.O. 13599, 77 FR 6659, 3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 215; E.O. 13846, 83 FR 38939, 3 CFR, 2018 Comp., p. 854. Subpart E—Licenses, Authorizations, and Statements of Licensing Policy §§ 560.522, 560.528, and 560.529 [Stayed]
• 2. Sections 560.522, 560.528, and
     560.529 are stayed indefinitely.
     Bradley T. Smith,
     Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury. [FR Doc. 2026–18461 Filed 9–8–26; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4810–AL–P