Executive Order 13606: Blocking the Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Certain Persons With Respect to Grave Human Rights Abuses by the Governments of Iran and Syria via Information Technology
President: Barack Obama
Authorized asset freezes and entry restrictions for people enabling grave human-rights abuses through information technology.
Status: In effect.
Is Executive Order 13606 still in effect? Yes. Active sanctions authority, especially within the continuing Iran emergency; Syria-wide sanctions relief changed its practical setting in 2025–2026.
What does Executive Order 13606 do?
EO 13606 targeted officials and technology enablers who operated communications disruption, tracking or other systems used for grave abuses by the governments of Iran or Syria. Treasury can block designated people and material supporters, while State handles entry restrictions. The order remains listed as an OFAC authority and the 2026 Iran emergency continuation expressly cites it. The end of comprehensive Syria sanctions changed the wider Syrian program but did not expressly revoke EO 13606.
Later evidence reviewed September 23, 2026: The Iran emergency was continued and again cited EO 13606. Federal Register — 2026 Iran emergency continuation. Continuation of the Iran emergency confirms this order is still cited; it does not determine the status of each designation.
Before and after
Before the order
Existing Iran and Syria sanctions did not expressly focus on technology used to disrupt, monitor or abuse civilian populations.
After the order
Designated operators and suppliers could face blocking and travel restrictions under a dedicated human-rights criterion.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Treasury | Investigate designate license and enforce | Continuing |
| State Department | Apply entry restrictions and coordinate policy | Continuing |
| US persons | Block and report designated property | Continuing |
What happened next
EO 13606 issued.
Comprehensive Syria sanctions ended under EO 14312, changing the surrounding program.
The Iran emergency was continued and again cited EO 13606.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
IEEPA and the relevant national emergencies support blocking. Designation findings, OFAC regulations, licenses and constitutional due process constrain implementation.
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.
- Treasury OFAC — executive-order library (opens in a new tab) Official record
- Treasury OFAC — PAARSS Syria program (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 23, 2026. How we research →