Executive Order 13608: Prohibiting Certain Transactions With and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Foreign Sanctions Evaders With Respect to Iran and Syria
President: Barack Obama
Authorized transaction bans and entry restrictions against foreign people who evade US sanctions on Iran or Syria.
Status: In effect.
Is Executive Order 13608 still in effect? Yes. Active designation authority, although OFAC’s Foreign Sanctions Evaders List has been empty since December 18, 2025.
What does Executive Order 13608 do?
EO 13608 created a nonblocking tool for foreign actors who violate, attempt to violate or deceptively facilitate evasion of US Iran or Syria sanctions. US persons are prohibited from transactions with designated evaders even when no property is frozen, and designated individuals can be denied entry. OFAC removed the last remaining name in December 2025, but states that the list remains available and new names may be added.
Later evidence reviewed September 23, 2026: OFAC removed the remaining listed name. Treasury OFAC — FSE list history. Removal of the remaining listed name is a program implementation fact, not an express revocation of the underlying order.
Before and after
Before the order
Sanctions could target blocked parties, but deceptive third-country evaders were harder to isolate without blocking their assets.
After the order
Treasury gained a tailored transaction-ban list for foreign sanctions evaders.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| Treasury | Identify remove and publish foreign sanctions evaders | Continuing authority |
| State Department | Suspend entry of designated individuals | Continuing authority |
| US persons | Avoid prohibited dealings with listed persons | No current names; duty revives with listings |
What happened next
EO 13608 issued.
OFAC removed the remaining listed name.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
IEEPA and the Iran and Syria emergency authorities support the prohibitions. The order includes exemptions and licensing authority and creates no private right.
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 — FAQ 336 (opens in a new tab) Official record
- Treasury OFAC — FSE list history (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 23, 2026. How we research →