Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations: Stay of Effectiveness for General Licenses

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 five general licenses 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 August 24, 2026, 31 CFR 560.544, 560.550, and 560.554 are stayed indefinitely. As of August 24, 2026, the effectiveness of the Iran General Licenses F and G, published at 79 FR 11180 and 79 FR 49157, respectively, and available on OFAC’s website (https://ofac.treasury.gov), are 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 February 27, 2014, OFAC published in the Federal Register General License F, which was issued pursuant to the Regulations on September 10, 2013 (79 FR 11180, February 27, 2014). On August 19, 2014, OFAC published in the Federal Register General License G, which was issued pursuant to the Regulations on March 19, 2014 (79 FR 49157, August 19, 2014). These general licenses were issued pursuant to the Regulations and are 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 contained at 31 CFR 560.544, 560.550, and 560.554. These general licenses authorize, respectively, certain educational activities by U.S. persons in third countries; certain noncommercial, personal remittances to or from Iran; and the importation and exportation of services related to conferences in the United States or third countries. As a result of this suspension, any such transactions are no longer authorized by OFAC as of August 24, 2026. In addition, OFAC is suspending indefinitely Iran General License F, published at 79 FR 11180, and Iran General License G, published at 79 FR
49157. These general licenses authorize,
respectively, certain services in support of professional and amateur sports activities and exchanges involving the United and Iran, and certain academic exchanges and the exportation or importation of certain educational services. As a result of this suspension, any such transactions are no longer authorized by OFAC as of August 24, 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 §§ 560.544, 560.550, and 560.554 [Stayed] ■ 2. Sections 560.544, 560.550, and
560.554 are stayed indefinitely.
Bradley T. Smith,
Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Department of the Treasury. [FR Doc. 2026–17426 Filed 8–24–26; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 4810–AL–P