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Articles by Michael O'Kane
EU in talks with China to secure delisting of German company subject to China export controls
16 October 2026 Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock.com The EU is in discussions with China to delist Sindlhauser Materials GmbH, a German company part of the supply chain for ASML Holding NV, a Dutch semiconductor company, Bloomberg reports. In return, the EU is said to be willing to delist an unnamed Chinese company, which the EU sanctioned for supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. Sindlhauser was added to China’s list of entities subject to an export ban in July 2026.
Poland refuses 3 delisting requests
16 October 2026 Grand Warszawski/Shutterstock.com Poland’s Minister of the Interior and Administration has refused 3 requests for removal from Poland’s autonomous sanctions list, by Quicko sp. z o.o., Dmytro Firtash and Avalon sp. z o.o. The sanctions list operates under Poland’s 2022 sanctions law. Quicko is a Polish payment company, listed in May 2026 for its links to Russia. Quicko argued that its Russian subsidiary, OOO Quicko, no longer trades and is being wound up.
US delists President of Venezuelan parliament
16 October 2026 Zafer Kurt/Shutterstock.com The US has delisted Jorge Jesús Rodríguez Gómez. Mr Rodriguez is the President of Venezuela’s national assembly and is the brother of interim Venezuelan President, Delcy Rodriguez. He was US-sanctioned in 2018 for being a senior leader within Venezuela’s government. Mr Rodríguez has been the national assembly’s leader since 2021 and was previously Venezuela’s communications minister and vice-president.
US Library of Congress publishes research briefing on UN Iran sanctions
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France seizes ‘DF Peak’ tanker in the Indian Ocean
14 October 2026 Petr Kovalenkov/Shutterstock.com President Macron announced on X that the French navy has boarded and seized oil tanker DF Peak (IMO 9341067) because it suspected it was operating as part of Russia’s EU-sanctioned shadow fleet. The tanker was Benin-flagged and is being transported to French territory Reunion Island by decision of the French public prosecutor. It was sanctioned by the EU under its former name Kaliningrad in 2024.
EU removes 2 from Belarus sanctions list
14 October 2026 New Africa/Shutterstock.com The EU has removed 2 people from its Regulation (EC) 765/2006 Belarus sanctions list. See our Belarus regime pages for more details on this sanctions regime. The delisted people are: Mikail Safarbekovich Gutseriev sanctioned in June 2021 for being an associate of President Lukashenko.
Japan adds industrial goods and chemicals to Russia export control list
14 October 2026 Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has added a range of industrial goods and chemicals to the list of items on the Export Trade Control Order that require METI approval for export to Russia, under Cabinet Order No. 325 and a Ministerial Ordinance. The amendments are made under Japan’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act and will come into force on 16 October 2026. Our Japan pages contain guidance on export controls in Japan.
Switzerland updates Iran money transfer reporting and authorisation forms
13 October 2026 Dasha Butler/Shutterstock.com Switzerland has updated the forms used to report and seek authorisation for money transfers involving Iran. The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) published the revised forms on 13 October 2026 – Press Release. The forms apply to transfers under Article 21 of Switzerland’s Iran Ordinance (see our Switzerland pages for Swiss sanctions legislation). From 13 October 2026 only the updated forms will be accepted.
EU extends Niger sanctions regime until October 2027
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US reaches settlement with logistics company for sanctions breaches
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EU removes Libya high-seas inspection powers after UN authorisation expires
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EU adds 3 people and 4 entities to DPRK sanctions list for supporting DPRK nuclear programs and breaching UN sanctions
12 October 2026 Ben Gingell/Shutterstock.com The EU has added 3 people and 4 entities to its DPRK Regulation (EU) 2017/1509 sanctions list – Press Release. The Reg automatically sanctions people and entities who are sanctioned by the UN under its DPRK sanctions regime, and who support or promote the DPRK’s nuclear, ballistic missile or other WMD programs.
US delists Myanmar national from Myanmar sanctions list
12 October 2026 Chaton Chokpatara/Shutterstock.com The US has removed Myanmar national Theint Win Htet from its EO 14014 Myanmar sanctions list. The US introduced the sanctions regime in 2021 to target people responsible for undermining democracy and individual rights in Myanmar (see our US-Myanmar page for more information). Ms. Htet is the daughter of Thein Win Zaw, US-sanctioned in January 2024 for owning a company that supplied Myanmar’s navy.
EU sanctions 1,569 people and entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex
12 October 2026 maradon 333/Shutterstock.com The EU has added 743 people and 826 entities linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex to its Regulation (EU) 269/2014 sanctions list – EU Reg, Council Decision, Press Release. This is the largest single set of EU listings against Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and targets people and companies that supply key components to Russia’s weapons systems including missiles, UAVs and aircrafts.
US general license authorises supply of Russian diesel until 7 April 2027
11 October 2026 The US has issued Russia-related general license 135 to authorise all transactions related to the sale, delivery, offloading or importation of Russian-origin diesel fuel that would otherwise be prohibited by the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 587) and the Ukraine/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR part 589). See our US-Russia pages for more information on the Regs and our US licensing page for all US licenses.
Lithuanian court rejects application to set aside fine for breach of EU sanctions
9 October 2026 Donatas Dabravolskas/Shutterstock.com The Regional Administrative Court of Lithuania has dismissed an application by Dage Capital application to set aside a 418,677 EUR fine imposed on it by the Lithuania Financial Crimes Investigation Service (FNTT) in October 2025 for breaching EU sanctions. Dage Capital applied to set aside the fine under Art.19 of Lithuania’s Law on International Sanctions.
US renews Russia GL authorising some transactions with the Russian Central Bank, National Wealth Funds & Finance Ministry until 9 Jan 2027
9 October 2026 sharpner/Shutterstock.com The US has issued Russia-related General License 13S to continue to authorise transactions involving the Russian Central Bank, National Wealth Fund and Ministry of Finance which would otherwise be prohibited by Directive 4 under EO 14024 until 9 January 2027. The transactions are authorised provided they are necessary for day-to-day operations of US people or businesses in Russia.
EU adds Olga Belyavtseva to Reg 269 sanctions list
9 October 2026 maradon 333/Shutterstock.com The EU has added Olga Belyavtseva to its sanctions list under Regulation (EU) 269/2014. Ms Belyavtseva is a Russian entrepreneur. She is already subject to EU sanctions; she was listed under the Regulation (EU) 2024/2642 Russia hybrid threats sanctions regime in 2024.
UK adds sanctions FAQ on OFSI specific licences
9 October 2026 Svet foto/Shutterstock.com The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has added an FAQ on what happens to specific licences when a designated person is delisted. Specific licences permit named people or organisations to carry out transactions or activity that would otherwise be prohibited by UK financial sanctions.
UK issues Zarubezhneft JSC wind-down general licence
8 October 2026 Mistervlad/Shutterstock.com The UK has issued General Licence INT/2026/11080040 under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 – Publication Notice. The GL allows people and entities to wind down or divest from any transactions they are party to that involve sanctioned entity Zarubezhneft JSC or any entity it owns or controls.
EU extends Russia hybrid threats sanctions regime to October 2027
8 October 2026 maradon 333/Shutterstock.com The EU has announced the extension of its Russian hybrid threats sanctions framework for another year, until 9 October 2027 – press release. The regime was established in 2024 and is implemented under Regulation (EU) 2024/2642.
UN removes Swiss company linked to Al-Dulimi from Iraq sanctions list
8 October 2026 Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock.com The UN has removed Swiss company Logarcheo SA from its Iraq sanctions list. It was listed in April 2004 under Resolution 1483 (2003) for being an entity controlled by then UN-sanctioned Khalaf Al-Dulimi, former finance chief of the Iraqi intelligence services, to manage the assets of the former Hussein regime.
UK amends and extends Maritime Mutual Insurance wind down licence
8 October 2026 hyotographics/Shutterstock.com Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has amended and extended general licence INT/2026/8893924 which allows for the winding down of insurance policies written by Maritime Mutual and their subsidiaries before their designation – publication notice. New Zealand-registered Maritime Mutual was designated by the UK in February 2026 because it provided services in the Russian energy sector.
Japan adds more goods to Russia export ban from 16 October 2026
6 October 2026 Japan has amended its Export Trade Control Order to add more goods to its existing ban on exports from Japan to Russia. The ban covers goods that could strengthen Russia's industrial base. The changes take effect on 16 October 2026. METI has also amended related ministerial ordinances that list the particular goods covered.
UK removes former Syrian economy minister from Syria sanctions list
6 October 2026 Svet foto/Shutterstock.com The UK has removed Houmam Jazai'iri from its Syria sanctions list under the Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Mr Jazai'iri was sanctioned under the regulations in 2020. He was Syria’s Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade in the former Assad regime from 2014-2016. He remains sanctioned by the EU. See our UK delisting pages for information on delisting procedures under the Sanctions & Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.
US issues sanctions alert and FAQ for foreign financial institutions doing business with Iran
6 October 2026 Fly of Swallow Studio/Shutterstock.com The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has published a notice to foreign financial institutions conducting business with Iran saying that foreign financial institutions: that continue to do business with Iran or its financial sector may be sanctioned under “Operation Economic Outcast”.
Australia relists 15 people and 2 entities on counterterrorism financing sanctions list
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EU could impose targeted sanctions in the event of a “space threat”
5 October 2026 New Africa/Shutterstock.com The Council of the EU has adopted Decision (CFSP) 2026/2195 which provides for sanctions as one of the tools to respond to threats to the EU’s space interests and safety - press release, background information on EU space policy.
US arrests California man over alleged China export control breaches
2 October 2026 Azlan Stock/Shutterstock.com The US has arrested Greg Lui, also known as Yiu Kong Lui, for allegedly smuggling over $300 million of export-controlled computer servers to China. Mr Lui owns Earthmade Computer Inc., a California company. A federal indictment returned on 29 September 2026 charges him with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations, outbound smuggling and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
US sanctions A7 Network and targets Iran’s automotive and rail sectors
2 October 2026 Fly of Swallow Studio/Shutterstock.com The US has designated the A7 Network as a transnational criminal organisation under Executive Order 13581 – press release. A7 is a Russia-linked payments network. The US says Iran uses it to evade sanctions. In August 2025, the OFAC designated the 3 Russia-based companies at the centre of A7.
US removes Syria from ITAR policy of denial list
2 October 2026 The US has removed Syria from the ‘policy of denial’ list in § 126.1 International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The US denies licenses and approvals for exports, reexports, retransfers and temporary imports of defence articles and services to or from states listed in § 126.1 ITAR. The US revoked most of its sanctions on Syria in July 2025 and rescinded Syria’s state sponsor of terrorism designation in August 2026. See our Syria-US page for more information.
New EU FAQ on import ban on grain from Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine
2 October 2026 Andy.LIU/Shutterstock.com The EU has added a new FAQ 6 to its Russia and Belarus sanctions FAQs on Regulation (EU) 2022/263. See our EU guidance page for all Russia-related FAQs and guidance. FAQ 6 interprets the meaning of “import” in Article 2(1) of the reg, which prohibits the import of goods originating from Russia-occupied regions of Ukraine into the EU.
US removes entity, ship, and person from Libya, Belarus, and counternarcotics sanctions lists
2 October 2026 Billion Photos/Shutterstock.com The US has removed Patraca S.A from its counternarcotics sanctions list under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, cargo ship Maraya from its Libya sanctions list, and Tatyana Protopovich from its Belarus sanctions list.
UK extends Sakhalin-2 exemption until 31 December 2026
1 October 2026 Svet foto/Shutterstock.com The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has extended the Sakhalin-2 exemption in General Licence INT/2025/5635700 until 31 December 2026 – publication notice. Sakhalin-2 is an oil and gas project on Sakhalin Island, Russia. The general licence allows people and businesses to continue dealing with Gazpromneft-Sakhalin LLC and its subsidiaries where the business relates to a listed project.
2 people arrested in Netherlands on suspicion of Russia sanctions evasion
1 October 2026 em_concepts/Shutterstock.com Dutch authorities have arrested a Russian man and Dutch woman on suspicion of evading EU sanctions. The Dutch interior ministry said the 2 people are linked to a company which is said to have provided IT services prohibited by EU sanctions on Russia & exported high-tech goods and services from the Netherlands to Russia via a country used for evasion. Breaches of EU sanctions in the Netherlands are punishable under the Dutch Sanctions Act.
China sets requirements for 2027 automobile and motorcycle export licences
1 October 2026 Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock.com China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has published requirements for 2027 automobile and motorcycle export licence applications. Manufacturers must apply online through MOFCOM's unified business management platform, which opens on 30 September 2026. Local commerce authorities review applications first and must submit them to MOFCOM by 28 October 2026. Applicants must prove they have overseas after-sales service outlets.
US adds to Iran, counternarcotics and counterterrorism sanctions lists
1 October 2026 Fly of Swallow Studio/Shutterstock.com The US has designated 5 people and 8 entities under its Iran and non-proliferation sanctions lists, and 21 people and 25 entities to its counternarcotics and counterterrorism sanctions list. Iran sanctions 5 people and 5 entities were designated by the Treasury for procuring weapons and weapons components for Iran’s Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) – press release.
UK OFSI frozen asset review – reports by 30 November 2026
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EU Sanctions Helpdesk publishes guidance on sanctions end-use compliance
30 September 2026 New Africa/Shutterstock.com The EU Sanctions Helpdesk has published guidance for small and medium-sized businesses to comply with EU sanctions. The guidance focuses on verifying the purpose of transactions and the end use of goods and services when they are sold. SMEs are expected to carry out proportionate end-use and end-user checks by asking who final users will be and what goods/services will be used for.
EU renews Burundi sanctions until October 2027
30 September 2026 Robin Nieuwenkamp/Shutterstock.com The EU has renewed its Burundi sanctions regime for 1 year, until 31 October 2027. The EU sanctions came into effect in October 2015 to address human rights abuses and the absence of an independent judiciary in Burundi. More information on the sanctions regime, including the EU’s Burundi sanctions list, is on our Burundi-EU page.
Netherlands bans travellers from bringing in goods from Israeli settlements
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Swiss voters reject neutrality initiative that would have barred most sanctions
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EU updates sanctions FAQs on Russian Railways, diplomats and dual-use goods
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US charges CEO over hidden Russian ownership and sentences Iranian national for export breaches
28 September 2026 sharpner/Shutterstock.com The US Department of Justice has published details of enforcement action in 2 cases involving Russia and Iran. See our US enforcement pages for more information on enforcement of sanctions breaches. The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has charged Lee Reiber, CEO of Oxygen Forensics Inc, and Russian national Oleg Davydov with conspiracy to commit wire fraud – press release.
EU sanctions people and entities responsible for preventing opposition party from participating in elections & for deporting Ukrainian children to Russia
28 September 2026 maradon 333/Shutterstock.com The EU has added 20 people and 17 entities to its Russia human rights and targeted financial sanctions regimes over the exclusion of an opposition party from State Duma elections and the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. See our EU-Russia pages for information on the human rights and financial sanctions regimes. The EU added 10 people to the Regulation (EU) 2024/1485 Russia human rights sanctions list – press release.
US introduces visa restriction policy for people who promote ‘birth tourism to USA’
28 September 2026 Jim Lambert/Shutterstock.com The US State Department has issued a new visa restriction policy, targeting people who knowingly engage in, have engaged in, or facilitate birth tourism to the United States. US visa restrictions are imposed pursuant to s212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which lets the Secretary of State deny a visa to any foreign national whose entry the Secretary believes would harm US foreign policy interests.
Former bank CEO sentenced to 9 years imprisonment in US for conspiracy to breach sanctions
28 September 2026 Zafer Kurt/Shutterstock.com Former CEO of Nodus International Bank Tomás Niembro Concha has been sentenced to 112 months in prison by a US court, for conspiring to breach US sanctions on Venezuela and for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Wilfully conspiring to breach US sanctions is a criminal offence under § 1705 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). He pleaded guilty to this offence in March 2026.
US publishes quarterly Iran export licensing data
25 September 2026 Azlan Stock/Shutterstock.com The Office of Foreign Assets Control has published its Quarterly Report of Licensing Activities for April – June 2026, for license applications requesting authorisation to export agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices to Iran under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA). See our US Export Controls page for all US export control legislation including the TSRA.
EU statement on 3rd country alignment with last renewal of Russia Crimea and Sevastopol sanctions
25 September 2026 Andy.LIU/Shutterstock.com The EU has issued a statement on 3rd country alignment with the EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1360 to renew its sanctions regime related to Russia’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol until 23 June 2027. Visit our Russia-EU page for more information on this sanctions regime. Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine align themselves with this decision.
US delists 1 person and 1 entity from DRC sanctions list
24 September 2026 Millenius/Shutterstock.com The US has removed Francois Olenga and Safari Club from its EO 13413 DRC sanctions list. The EO targets those who materially support the M23 or are complicit in activities that threaten the DRC’s peace, security or stability. See our DRC-US page for more information on this sanctions regime. Francois Olenga was listed in 2017 for being the head of the Military House of the President, which oversees the Republican Guard.
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