Executive Order 13224: Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism
President: George W. Bush
Declared a terrorism-related national emergency, blocked property of listed and later-designated persons, prohibited dealings in blocked property, and delegated designation and licensing functions to State and Treasury.
Status: In effect as amended.
Is Executive Order 13224 still in effect? Yes. Active as amended; Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations remain in force.
What does Executive Order 13224 do?
The order assigned these duties: Secretary of State in consultation with Treasury and Justice — Designate foreign persons who commit or pose a significant risk of committing terrorism; Treasury Secretary in consultation with State and Justice — Designate supporters, owned or controlled persons, leaders and other covered persons; issue rules and licenses.
Before and after
Before the order
Earlier terrorism sanctions covered narrower programs and lists; the order established the Specially Designated Global Terrorist framework after the September 11 attacks.
After the order
OFAC implemented and repeatedly updated the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and SDN designations. EO 13268 amended the original Taliban treatment, and EO 13886 modernized and broadened designation and secondary-sanctions provisions. The President continued the EO 13224 national emergency for one year beyond September 23, 2026. Courts have required meaningful notice and post-blocking process in particular cases.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of State in consultation with Treasury and Justice | Designate foreign persons who commit or pose a significant risk of committing terrorism | As evidence and policy determinations warrant |
| Treasury Secretary in consultation with State and Justice | Designate supporters, owned or controlled persons, leaders and other covered persons; issue rules and licenses | Ongoing |
| United States persons | Block covered property and avoid prohibited dealings, evasion and conspiracy unless exempt or licensed | From September 24, 2001 |
| Federal agencies | Cooperate internationally, share information and take implementing measures | Ongoing |
What happened next
EO 13224 signed.
The blocking and transaction prohibitions took effect.
EO 13268 amended the order while ending the separate Taliban emergency.
EO 13886 substantially amended the designation framework and added sanctions consequences.
The President continued the EO 13224 national emergency for one year beyond September 23, 2026.
Court status
See the court documents in Sources by type.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
IEEPA, the National Emergencies Act, statutory exemptions, OFAC licenses, the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional due process constrain implementation. In Al Haramain and KindHearts, courts identified procedural or search-and-seizure defects in particular blocking actions; those rulings did not invalidate the entire program.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on October 2, 2026. How we research →