OFAC removes Syria general license from terrorism sanctions regulations

The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a final rule amending the Terrorism List Governments Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 596. Effective September 25 2026, the rule removes and reserves the Syria-specific general license previously codified at Sec. 596.505.

The change follows the President's July 8 2026 certification that the Government of Syria had not supported international terrorism during the prior six-month period and had provided assurances against future support (H. Doc. 119-168). Based on that certification, the Secretary of State rescinded Syria's designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism on August 31 2026 (91 FR 55965). Consequently, Syria is no longer a Terrorism List Government for purposes of the regulations.

Regulatory text revisions include the removal and reservation of Sec. 596.505 and an update to the authority citation for part 596 to read: 18 U.S.C. 2332d; 22 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.; 31 U.S.C. 321(b). The rule cites FR Doc 2026-19657 and was signed by Bradley T. Smith, Director, OFAC.

Because the amendment concerns a foreign-affairs function, the notice-and-comment requirements of E.O. 12866 and the Administrative Procedure Act do not apply, nor does the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The rule incorporates the criminal-penalty statement required by E.O. 14294, noting that willful violations may be punished under 50 U.S.C. 1705 with a mens-rea element of willfulness, after consultation with the Department of Justice.

Information-collection requirements remain under 31 CFR part 501, approved by OMB under control number 1505-0164, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.