Recent Settlement Highlights Need For OFAC Diligence

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)¹ recently entered into a settlement agreement with a European-based asset manager for an alleged violation of United States sanctions against Iran.² The settlement agreement follows the announcement of a number of new measures that significantly expand U.S. sanctions against Iran. What is significant about the new measures is that they explicitly target certain activities of non-U.S. companies as well as U.S. companies.

The recently announced settlement highlights the need for all asset management firms, wherever they may be located, to understand their obligations under U.S., EU and wider United Nations sanctions programs, and to develop policies and procedures designed to prevent sanctions violations.