OFAC issued General License X1 on July 7, superseding GL X and terminating the sanctions waiver for Iranian oil exports structured to run through August 21. In the 16 authorized days (June 22–July 7), approximately 20 Iranian tankers moved ~70 million barrels generating an estimated $5–6bn in export revenue before the ceasefire talks collapsed. Cargoes loaded before July 7 face payment and clearan
The bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act (S. 1241, July 10) would impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries importing less than 15% of Russia's natural gas and taking "significant steps" to reduce. Mandatory sanctions on Putin, senior military/political leaders, oligarchs, state-owned enterprises, banks, the shadow fleet,
Secretary Rubio announced on July 8 that President Trump has informed Congress of his intention to rescind Syria's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation — in place since 1979. The 45-day pre-notification process has begun, with rescission expected around August 22, 2026. Rescission will remove Syria from Country Group E:1 under the Export Administration Regulations, opening significantly broader
FATF's July 16 update found 83% of surveyed jurisdictions have now passed Travel Rule legislation for crypto asset transfers, up from 73% a year earlier. Stablecoin activity is emerging as the next enforcement focus. DPRK and Iran countermeasures are maintained; Myanmar requires enhanced due diligence. The Travel Rule's near-global adoption marks the maturation of crypto AML compliance as a standa
China escalated its counter-measures this week, sanctioning 56 U.S. companies — including rare-earth miners, defense-linked firms, and Alibaba's U.S.-facing entities — in direct retaliation for a Pentagon "CMC List" designation. The sanctions impose asset freezes within China and prohibit any Chinese entity or individual from conducting business with the listed firms, effective June 30. Alibaba se
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued two new Withhold Release Orders on June 23 targeting garment producers Needle Craft Ltd. and Casual Wear Apparel LLC in Jordan, and confirmed a separate WRO against Serbia Zijin Copper — the second Serbian operation targeted in six months. WROs immediately trigger detention of all shipments at U.S. ports of entry, requiring importers to either re-export go