U.S. Treasury Escalates Iran Sanctions with New Designations and General License Suspensions
The U.S. Treasury Department has significantly intensified its Iran sanctions program, designating approximately 60 entities, individuals, and vessels. This action also includes a new determination that expands the categories of Iran-related conduct subject to secondary sanctions, specifically targeting the aviation, digital assets, gold, shipping, and technology sectors. Concurrently, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has suspended multiple Iran-related general licenses, which previously allowed certain transactions to proceed without specific authorization. Companies that relied on these suspended licenses have a narrow window, until 12:01 a.m. ET on September 8, to complete previously permitted transactions under a wind-down mechanism. This coordinated effort by the Treasury Department is described as a pressure campaign, with Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that other countries are being given a defined timeline to cease certain activities involving Iran, with the threat of unilateral U.S.... 
