The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) maintains the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), a key tool of U.S. sanctions policy that imposes strict restrictions on designated individuals and entities, including asset blocking and prohibitions on transactions with U.S. persons. Exposure extends beyond listed parties, as those who engage with SDNs—directly or indirectly—may face enforcement actions or secondary sanctions, potentially limiting access to the U.S. financial system. With recent sanctions targeting geopolitical and transnational threats such as Russia, Iran and affiliated groups, and Latin American drug trafficking organizations, these developments highlight the broad reach of U.S. sanctions and the critical need for robust compliance measures.
Authors:
Louie A. Ayash
Matthew D. Dunn
Partner
Darius R. Alam
Counsel
dalam@clm.com
Bryan J. Hall
Partner