The Office of Foreign Assets Control deleted two aircraft from its Specially Designated Nationals List that were originally added for their ties to designated Iranian airlines Mahan Air and Pouya Air. One removed plane has aircraft registration number EP-MND (linked to Mahan air), the other is EP-GOM (linked to Pouya Air). The agency didn't release more information.
Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., introduced a bill May 22 that would prohibit U.S. arms sales to the United Arab Emirates until the Biden administration certifies that the UAE is no longer providing material support to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The U.K. this week updated its Russia guidance to add another type of evidence companies can use to prove their imported diamonds don’t violate sanctions against Russia.
Canada on May 21 officially launched a public comment period as it considers potential new requirements under its Aluminum Import Monitoring Program. The country said it's considering aligning its aluminum import rules with its country of melt and pour information requirements for steel imports, which would “support supply chain transparency and help obtain a more comprehensive picture of the origins of imported aluminum goods.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending the comment period for an information collection related to a request for appointment of a Technical Advisory Committee. The collection describes the functions and responsibilities of the Commerce Department TACs, which "advise the government on proposed revisions to export control lists, licensing procedures, assessments of the foreign availability of controlled products, and export control regulations.” BIS originally sought feedback on the information collection in February (see 2402080017), and the agency is allowing for another 30 days of comments from after the notice is published on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website.
U.S. export controls may not be the best way to counter China’s legacy semiconductor industry, especially because the EU and other allies aren’t likely to adopt similar restrictions, researchers said this month. The researchers said they expect the U.S. to turn more frequently to entity-based controls -- including through the Bureau of Industry and Security’s Entity List -- and other national security tools to address risks relating to more mature-node chips.
Syrian businessperson Issam Anbouba remains subject to EU sanctions after the EU General Court on May 15 sustained his listing based on criteria issued in 2023 but annulled the criteria issued in 2022, according to an unofficial translation.
The U.K. on May 16 renewed a general license under its Russian sanctions regime that allows British citizens to buy tickets from a sanctioned party for "flights or rail journeys originating in, or within, Russia." It also authorizes activities "reasonably necessary to effect the purchase of such tickets for flights or rail journeys." The license was scheduled to expire May 23 and now runs until May 23, 2026.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned two people and three entities in Russia for helping to transfer weapons and other military items from North Korea, including shipments of mortars, military communications equipment and aviation parts.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned two people and three entities in Russia for helping to transfer weapons and other military items from North Korea, including shipments of mortars, military communications equipment and aviation parts.