OFAC Extends Iran Sanctions to Automotive and Rail Sectors

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published a sector determination that applies the sanctions of Executive Order 13902 to Iran's automotive and rail sectors. The determination, issued on October 1, 2026, takes effect the same day and subjects any person determined to operate in those sectors to the sanctions authorized by section 1(a)(i) of the order.

Executive Order 13902 was issued by the President on January 10, 2020, invoking authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Section 1(a)(i) of the order blocks, with certain exceptions, all property and interests in property of any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to operate in designated sectors of the Iranian economy.

On October 1, 2026, Director Bradley T. Smith, in consultation with the Department of State, determined that the automotive and rail sectors fall within the scope of section 1(a)(i). The determination was made publicly available on OFAC's website at the time of issuance and is documented in Federal Register volume 91, number 196, page 64758 (FR Doc 2026-20839). The notice was filed on October 9, 2026.

The determination and related guidance can be accessed at https://ofac.treasury.gov/. For additional information, OFAC's Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs may be contacted at 202-622-4855 or via the agency's contact page.