Iranian Ships Get Brief Transaction Pass from OFAC
Published Date: 5/7/2026
Rule
Summary
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is officially publishing two special permissions called General Licenses S and T, which let certain transactions with blocked Iranian vessels and people happen safely and legally. These licenses were active from December 18, 2025, to January 18, 2026, helping businesses avoid penalties while handling specific cargo and safety tasks. If you’re involved in shipping or trade with Iran, these rules mattered for a short but important time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Short-term authorization for GL S
General License S allowed certain otherwise prohibited transactions involving the blocked persons and vessels listed in its Annex for safety, crew health, emergency repairs, environmental mitigation, and delivery/offloading of non‑Iranian cargo loaded on or before December 18, 2025. Those authorizations were valid through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on January 18, 2026, and include services like crewing, bunkering, insurance, salvage, and vessel management.
Short-term authorization for GL T
General License T allowed the same categories of transactions (safe docking/anchoring, crew health preservation, emergency repairs, environmental mitigation, and delivery/offloading of non‑Iranian cargo loaded on or before January 23, 2026) for the blocked persons and vessels listed in its Annex. Those authorizations were valid through 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 22, 2026, and explicitly include services such as piloting, registration, flagging, and classification.
Payment and restriction rules apply
Both GL S and GL T require that any payment to a blocked person must be made into a blocked interest-bearing account located in the United States. Both GLs also do not authorize entry into new commercial contracts involving blocked persons (except as authorized by the GLs) and do not authorize transactions otherwise prohibited by E.O. 13902 or by the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 560), including transactions involving Iran, the Government of Iran, or Iranian‑origin goods or services.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09758 — Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just added some folks and groups to its blacklist, meaning their U.S.-based money and property are frozen. Americans can’t do business with these blocked people or companies starting immediately. This move aims to tighten the financial noose and keep bad actors from using U.S. resources.
2026-09631 — Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just added new people to its blacklist, meaning their money and property in the U.S. are frozen. Americans can’t do business with these folks anymore, starting May 7, 2026. This move aims to stop bad actors from using the U.S. financial system and sends a clear message: shady dealings won’t be tolerated!
2026-09249 — Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) just added new people to its blacklist, meaning their money and property in the U.S. are frozen. Americans can’t do business with these folks anymore, starting May 1, 2026. This move aims to stop bad actors from using U.S. resources and sends a clear message about who’s off-limits.
2026-09251 — Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just blocked three shipping companies linked to Iran’s oil business, freezing their U.S.-based assets and banning Americans from dealing with them. This move, effective April 24, 2026, aims to tighten the squeeze on Iran’s petroleum sector and stop shady money flows. If you’re a U.S. person, steer clear of these companies or their ships to avoid penalties!
2026-09090 — Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 47, 48, 49, and 50
The U.S. Treasury just made official four special permissions (called General Licenses 47-50) that let certain business deals with Venezuela happen, even though there are sanctions. These changes mainly affect companies dealing with Venezuelan oil and related products, allowing some sales and transactions that were previously blocked. The licenses started in early February 2026 and could impact money flow by opening up specific trade opportunities under clear U.S. rules.
2026-09085 — Publication of a Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and Illicit Drug Trade Sanctions Regulations Web General License
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is officially sharing a special permission called General License 34. It lets people wrap up business with Kovay Gardens, which was previously blocked due to terrorism and drug trade rules, but only until March 21, 2026. If you’re involved with Kovay Gardens, you need to act fast and follow the rules to avoid any money trouble!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-09092 — Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 46, 46A, and 46B
The Treasury Department just made official three special permissions (General Licenses 46, 46A, and 46B) that let U.S. companies do certain business with Venezuelan oil, even though sanctions are in place. These licenses let folks handle buying, selling, and moving Venezuelan oil under clear U.S. rules, with updates rolling out from January to March 2026. If you’re in the oil biz, this means new chances to work with Venezuela while following U.S. laws—so keep an eye on deadlines and contract details!
Next: 2026-09137 — Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Starting July 7, 2026, SNAP retailers must stock more types of staple foods—at least seven varieties in each of four categories, with more perishable options too. This change helps make sure folks using SNAP have better access to fresh, healthy foods. Retailers need to follow these new rules by November 4, 2026, so everyone can enjoy tastier, more nutritious choices without breaking the bank.