Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 31 - Money and Finance: Treasury last revised: Nov 18, 2024
§ 560.301 - Effective date.

The term effective date refers to the effective date of the applicable prohibitions and directives contained in this part as follows:

(a) With respect to the prohibitions and directives in § 560.201 and §§ 560.204 through 560.209 is 12:01 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, August 20, 1997. For the effective date of pre-existing regulations and directives, see the Executive orders in the Authority citation for this part and implementing regulations.

(b) With respect to prohibited transfers or other dealings in blocked property and interests in property of the Government of Iran, as defined in § 560.304, and Iranian financial institutions, as defined in § 560.324, 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, February 6, 2012; and

(c) With respect to a person whose property and interests in property are otherwise blocked pursuant to paragraph (c) of § 560.211, the earlier of the date of actual or constructive notice that such person's property and interests in property are blocked.

§ 560.302 - [Reserved]
§ 560.303 - Iran; Iranian.

The term Iran means the territory of Iran and any other territory or marine area, including the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the Government of Iran claims sovereignty, sovereign rights, or jurisdiction, provided that the Government of Iran exercises partial or total de facto control over the area or derives a benefit from economic activity in the area pursuant to an international agreement. The term Iranian means pertaining to Iran as defined in this section.

§ 560.304 - Government of Iran.

The term Government of Iran includes:

(a) The state and the Government of Iran, as well as any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including the Central Bank of Iran;

(b) Any person owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the foregoing;

(c) Any person to the extent that such person is, or has been, since the effective date, acting or purporting to act, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of the foregoing; and

(d) Any other person determined by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to be included within paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

Note 1 to § 560.304:

The names of persons that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has identified as meeting this definition are published in the Federal Register and incorporated into OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) with the identifier “[IRAN].” The SDN List is accessible through the following page on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/sdn. However, the property and interests in property of any persons meeting the definition of the term Government of Iran are blocked pursuant to § 560.211 regardless of whether the names of such persons are published in the Federal Register or incorporated into the SDN List.

Note 2 to § 560.304:

Section 501.807 of this chapter describes the procedures to be followed by persons seeking administrative reconsideration of OFAC's determination that they fall within the definition of the term Government of Iran.

[77 FR 64666, Oct. 22, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 3332, Jan. 21, 2016; 83 FR 55271, Nov. 5, 2018]
§ 560.305 - Person; entity.

(a) The term person means an individual or entity.

(b) The term entity means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization.

§ 560.306 - Iranian-origin goods or services; goods or services owned or controlled by the Government of Iran.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the terms goods of Iranian origin and Iranian-origin goods include:

(1) Goods grown, produced, manufactured, extracted, or processed in Iran; and

(2) Goods that have entered into Iranian commerce.

(b) The terms goods of Iranian origin and Iranian-origin goods do not include the following categories of goods, provided that such goods were not grown, produced, manufactured, extracted, or processed in Iran:

(1) Goods exported or reexported to Iran under an authorization issued pursuant to this part and that have subsequently been reexported from and are located outside of Iran; or

(2) Goods transported on a vessel or aircraft, as well as the vessel or aircraft itself, that passed though Iranian territorial waters or stopped at a port or place in Iran en route to a destination outside of Iran and that have not otherwise come into contact with Iran.

Note to paragraph (b)(2) of § 560.306:

Pursuant to this section, goods that are temporarily offloaded from a vessel in Iranian territorial waters or at a port or place in Iran and reloaded onto the same vessel or another vessel in the same location en route to a destination outside of Iran and that have not otherwise come into contact with Iran are not considered goods of Iranian origin. Similarly, goods that are offloaded from an aircraft at a place in Iran and reloaded onto the same aircraft or another aircraft in the same location en route to a destination outside of Iran and that have not otherwise come into contact with Iran are not considered goods of Iranian origin.

(c) The terms services of Iranian origin and Iranian-origin services include:

(1) Services performed in Iran or by an entity organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran, or a person residing in Iran; and

(2) Services performed outside Iran by a citizen, national or permanent resident of Iran who is ordinarily resident in Iran, or by an entity organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran.

(d) The term goods or services owned or controlled by the Government of Iran includes:

(1) Goods grown, produced, manufactured, extracted or processed by the Government of Iran or goods in its possession or control; and

(2) Services performed by the Government of Iran.

(e) The terms services of Iranian-origin, Iranian-origin services, and services owned or controlled by the Government of Iran do not include:

(1) Diplomatic and consular services performed by or on behalf of the Government of Iran;

(2) Diplomatic and consular services performed by or on behalf of the Government of the United States; or

(3) Services performed outside Iran by an Iranian citizen or national who is resident in the United States or a third country, provided such services are not performed by or on behalf of the Government of Iran (other than diplomatic and consular services), an entity organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran, or a person located in Iran.

[77 FR 64666, Oct. 22, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 94257, Dec. 23, 2016]
§ 560.307 - United States.

The term United States means the United States, its territories and possessions, and all areas under the jurisdiction or authority thereof.

§ 560.308 - Importation of goods.

With respect to goods (including software), the term importation means the bringing of any goods into the United States, except that in the case of goods transported by vessel, importation means the bringing of any goods into the United States with the intent to unlade them.

§ 560.309 - [Reserved]
§ 560.310 - License.

Except as otherwise specified, the term license means any license or authorization contained in or issued pursuant to this part.

§ 560.311 - General license.

The term general license means any license or authorization the terms of which are set forth in subpart E of this part.

§ 560.312 - Specific license.

The term specific license means any license or authorization not set forth in subpart E of this part but issued pursuant to this part.

§ 560.313 - Entity owned or controlled by the Government of Iran.

The term entity owned or controlled by the Government of Iran includes any corporation, partnership, association, or other entity in which the Government of Iran owns a 50 percent or greater interest or a controlling interest, and any entity which is otherwise controlled by that government.

§ 560.314 - United States person; U.S. person.

The term United States person or U.S. person means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.

§ 560.315 - Information or informational materials.

(a) For purposes of this part, the term information or informational materials includes, but is not limited to, publications, films, posters, phonograph records, photographs, microfilms, microfiche, tapes, compact disks, CD ROMs, artworks, and news wire feeds.

Note to paragraph (a) of § 560.315:

To be considered information or informational materials, artworks must be classified under chapter heading 9701, 9702, or 9703 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

(b) The term information or informational materials, with respect to exports, does not include items:

(1) That were, as of April 30, 1994, or that thereafter become, controlled for export pursuant to section 5 of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2401-2420, the “EAA”), or section 6 of the EAA to the extent that such controls promote the nonproliferation or antiterrorism policies of the United States; or

(2) With respect to which acts are prohibited by 18 U.S.C. chapter 37.

§ 560.316 - New investment.

The term new investment means a transaction after 12:01 Eastern Daylight Time, May 7, 1995, that constitutes:

(a) A commitment or contribution of funds or other assets; or

(b) A loan or other extension of credit, as defined in § 560.317.

§ 560.317 - Credits or loans.

The term credits or loans means any transfer or extension of funds or credit on a basis of an obligation to repay, or any assumption or guarantee of the obligation of another to repay an extension of funds or credit, including but not limited to: Overdrafts; currency swaps; purchases of debt securities issued by the Government of Iran; purchases of a loan made by another person; sales of financial assets subject to an agreement to repurchase; renewals or refinancings whereby funds or credits are transferred to or extended to a prohibited borrower or prohibited recipient; the issuance of standby letters of credit; and drawdowns on existing lines of credit.

§ 560.318 - [Reserved]
§ 560.319 - United States depository institution.

The term United States depository institution means any entity (including its foreign branches) organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States, or any agency, office, or branch located in the United States of a foreign entity, that is engaged primarily in the business of banking (for example, banks, savings banks, savings associations, credit unions, trust companies, and United States bank holding companies).

§ 560.320 - Iranian accounts.

The term Iranian accounts means accounts of persons who are ordinarily resident in Iran, except when such persons are not located in Iran, or of the Government of Iran, an Iranian financial institution, or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 560.211 of this part, maintained on the books of either a United States depository institution or a United States registered broker or dealer in securities.

§ 560.321 - United States registered broker or dealer in securities.

The term United States registered broker or dealer in securities means any U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any jurisdiction within the United States (including its foreign branches), or any agency, office or branch of a foreign entity located in the United States, that:

(a) Is a “broker” or “dealer” in securities within the meanings set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

(b) Holds or clears customer accounts; and

(c) Is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

§ 560.322 - Blocked account; blocked property.

The terms blocked account and blocked property shall mean any account or property subject to the prohibitions in § 560.211 held in the name of the Government of Iran, any Iranian financial institution, or any other person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 560.211, or in which the Government of Iran, an Iranian financial institution, or such person has an interest, and with respect to which payments, transfers, exportations, withdrawals, or other dealings may not be made or effected except pursuant to an authorization or license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control expressly authorizing such action.

Note to 1 § 560.322:

See § 560.425 concerning the blocked status of property and interests in property of an entity that is directly or indirectly owned, whether individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to § 560.211.

[77 FR 64666, Oct. 22, 2012, as amended at 87 FR 78477, Dec. 21, 2022]
§ 560.323 - Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in this part, the term interest, when used with respect to property (e.g., “an interest in property”), means an interest of any nature whatsoever, direct or indirect.

§ 560.324 - Iranian financial institution.

The term Iranian financial institution means any entity (including foreign branches), wherever located, organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran, or owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, or in Iran, or owned or controlled by any of the foregoing, that is engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making, granting, transferring, holding, or brokering loans or credits, or purchasing or selling foreign exchange, securities, commodity futures or options, or procuring purchasers and sellers thereof, as principal or agent. It includes but is not limited to depository institutions, banks, savings banks, money service businesses, trust companies, insurance companies, securities brokers and dealers, commodity futures and options brokers and dealers, forward contract and foreign exchange merchants, securities and commodities exchanges, clearing corporations, investment companies, employee benefit plans, and holding companies, affiliates, or subsidiaries of any of the foregoing.

Note 1 to § 560.324:

The names of persons that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has identified as meeting this definition are published in the Federal Register and incorporated into OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) with the identifier “[IRAN].” The SDN List is accessible through the following page on OFAC's website: www.treasury.gov/sdn. However, the property and interests in property of any persons meeting the definition of the term Iranian financial institution are blocked pursuant to § 560.211 regardless of whether the names of such persons are published in the Federal Register or incorporated into the SDN List.

Note 2 to § 560.324:

Section 501.807 of this chapter describes the procedures to be followed by persons seeking administrative reconsideration of OFAC's determination that they fall within the definition of the term Iranian financial institution.

[77 FR 64666, Oct. 22, 2012, as amended at 81 FR 3332, Jan. 21, 2016; 83 FR 55271, Nov. 5, 2018]
§ 560.325 - Property; property interest.

The terms property and property interest include, but are not limited to, money, checks, drafts, bullion, bank deposits, savings accounts, debts, indebtedness, obligations, notes, guarantees, debentures, stocks, bonds, coupons, any other financial instruments, bankers acceptances, mortgages, pledges, liens or other rights in the nature of security, warehouse receipts, bills of lading, trust receipts, bills of sale, any other evidences of title, ownership or indebtedness, letters of credit and any documents relating to any rights or obligations thereunder, powers of attorney, goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, stocks on hand, ships, goods on ships, real estate mortgages, deeds of trust, vendors' sales agreements, land contracts, leaseholds, ground rents, real estate and any other interest therein, options, negotiable instruments, trade acceptances, royalties, book accounts, accounts payable, judgments, patents, trademarks or copyrights, insurance policies, safe deposit boxes and their contents, annuities, pooling agreements, services of any nature whatsoever, contracts of any nature whatsoever, and any other property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or interest or interests therein, present, future, or contingent.

§ 560.326 - Transfer.

The term transfer means any actual or purported act or transaction, whether or not evidenced by writing, and whether or not done or performed within the United States, the purpose, intent, or effect of which is to create, surrender, release, convey, transfer, or alter, directly or indirectly, any right, remedy, power, privilege, or interest with respect to any property. Without limitation on the foregoing, it shall include the making, execution, or delivery of any assignment, power, conveyance, check, declaration, deed, deed of trust, power of attorney, power of appointment, bill of sale, mortgage, receipt, agreement, contract, certificate, gift, sale, affidavit, or statement; the making of any payment; the setting off of any obligation or credit; the appointment of any agent, trustee, or fiduciary; the creation or transfer of any lien; the issuance, docketing, filing, or levy of or under any judgment, decree, attachment, injunction, execution, or other judicial or administrative process or order, or the service of any garnishment; the acquisition of any interest of any nature whatsoever by reason of a judgment or decree of any foreign country; the fulfillment of any condition; the exercise of any power of appointment, power of attorney, or other power; or the acquisition, disposition, transportation, importation, exportation, or withdrawal of any security.

§ 560.327 - U.S. financial institution.

The term U.S. financial institution means any U.S. entity (including its foreign branches) that is engaged in the business of accepting deposits, making, granting, transferring, holding, or brokering loans or credits, or purchasing or selling foreign exchange, securities, commodity futures or options, or procuring purchasers and sellers thereof, as principal or agent. It includes but is not limited to depository institutions, banks, savings banks, trust companies, securities brokers and dealers, commodity futures and options brokers and dealers, forward contract and foreign exchange merchants, securities and commodities exchanges, clearing corporations, investment companies, employee benefit plans, and U.S. holding companies, U.S. affiliates, or U.S. subsidiaries of any of the foregoing. This term includes those branches, offices, and agencies of foreign financial institutions that are located in the United States, but not such institutions' foreign branches, offices, or agencies.

authority: 3 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 2339B,2332d; 22 U.S.C. 2349aa-9,7201,8501,8701; 31 U.S.C. 321(b); 50 U.S.C. 1601-1651,1701; Pub. L. 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2461 note); E.O. 12613, 52 FR 41940, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 256; E.O. 12957, 60 FR 14615, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 332; E.O. 12959, 60 FR 24757, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp., p. 356; E.O. 13059, 62 FR 44531, 3 CFR, 1997 Comp., p. 217; E.O. 13599, 77 FR 6659, 3 CFR, 2012 Comp., p. 215; E.O. 13846, 83 FR 38939, 3 CFR, 2018 Comp., p. 854
source: 77 FR 64666, Oct. 22, 2012, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 31 CFR 560.305