The Trump administration should issue “broad licenses” to medical companies and create dedicated channels for industry to export medical goods to Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic, former Vice President Joe Biden said April 2. Although the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control already has broad general licenses that allow exemptions for humanitarian exports, Biden said they are not effective. “In practice, most governments and organizations are too concerned about running afoul of U.S. sanctions to offer assistance,” Biden said. “As a result, our sanctions are limiting Iran’s access to medical supplies and needed equipment.”
The U.S. is renewing the authority to sanction foreign “malicious cyber-enabled activities,” the White House said March 30. The sanctions, which were renewed for one year beyond April 1, 2020, authorize the U.S. to block assets of people and entities involved in certain cyber attacks under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The U.S. renewed several sanctions waivers (see 1905030044) to allow European, Chinese and Russian companies to continue working on Iranian nuclear facilities, the State Department said in a March 30 notice. The announcement will allow work to continue at Arak heavy-water research reactor, the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran Research Reactor and “other nuclear initiatives” despite U.S. sanctions, according to a March 30 Reuters report. The State Department renewed the waivers for 60 days.
Rosneft, the U.S.-sanctioned Russian energy company, has stopped operating in Venezuela and sold “all of its interest” in Venezuelan businesses, the company said March 28. Rosneft said it will no longer participate in “joint ventures” with Venezuelan entities “as well as oil-field services companies, commercial and trading operations.” The company’s announcement came weeks after the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Rosneft subsidiaries for operating in Venezuela (see 2002180033 and 2003120033). Rosneft has criticized U.S. sanctions, calling them illegal and saying in February it was seeking “legal protection” (see 2002210022).
The European Union renewed sanctions against Libya, the EU said in a March 30 notice. The sanctions were extended for six months.
The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade updated its guidance on trade sanctions on Somalia, according to a March 25 notice. The guidance was updated to include “components for improvised explosive devices,” the DIT said. The guidance will apply until Dec. 31, 2020.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned 20 Iranian and Iraqi front companies, officials and business associates that support the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force, Treasury said in a March 26 press release. The sanctioned parties also participated in smuggling, money laundering and illegal oil sales. Among the sanctioned parties are Iraq-based Al Khamael Maritime Services, Iran- and Iraq-based Mada’in Novin Traders and Iran-based Middle East Saman Chemical Company.
The United Nations Security Council removed Ibrahim Mohamed Khalil from its ISIL (Da’esh) and al-Qaida Sanctions list, according to a March 24 press release. The UNSC said it made the decision after receiving a delisting request. Khalil is no longer subject to an asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.
The European Union renewed sanctions against Bosnia and Herzegovina for one year, according to a March 24 notice. The sanctions now expire March 31, 2021.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control made “minor technical amendments” to two Nicaragua-related general licenses, according to a March 25 notice. OFAC issued amended General License No. 1A, which authorizes certain transactions with Nicaragua by the U.S. government, and General License No. 2A, which authorizes the wind down of certain transactions involving the Nicaraguan National Police.