The U.S. Congressional Research Service released a paper on Iran’s petroleum exports to China and U.S. sanctions. It highlights concerns about Iran’s revenue from petroleum sales, mostly to China, using evasive techniques. In February 2025, President Trump directed a maximum pressure campaign aimed at reducing Iran’s oil exports to zero.

The U.S. Congressional Research Service released a paper on Russia’s central bank assets, noting that $280 billion was frozen by G7 countries. The G7 plans to provide $50 billion in loans to Ukraine, repaid with interest from the frozen assets. Congress may further influence U.S. policy through legislation and oversight.

Switzerland's SECO updated Annex 8 of the Ukraine-related sanctions ordinance, effective March 19, 2025. Financial intermediaries must freeze assets of sanctioned persons and report to SECO, with further reporting required under anti-money laundering laws if suspicion persists.

The State Department released its Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act Annual Report, reporting 70 foreign persons designated under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program in 2024, targeting human rights abuse and corruption across 19 countries. Designations included officials in Cambodia, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Paraguay, Russia, Uzbekistan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

Treasury / OFAC issued a sanctions alert covering the designation of eight international cartels, including Sinaloa and MS-13, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, blocking assets and imposing sanctions.

The U.S. Congressional Research Service updated its report, "Yemen: Terrorism Designation, U.S. Policy, and Congress," detailing the Trump Administration’s redesignation of Ansar Allah (Houthis) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) on March 4, 2025. The designation authorizes Treasury to freeze assets and criminalizes material support to the group. The report discusses Houthi attacks on U.S., Israeli, and regional targets, their ties to Iran and Russia, the impact on humanitarian aid, and Congressional responses, including legislative proposals and U.S. policy considerations.

UK’s OFSI issued a disclosure notice against three NGOs for breaching Counter Terrorism Regulations by failing to provide requested information. The breach was deemed moderate, with disclosure as the enforcement action.

The EU Commission issued a sanctions alert, warning of high circumvention risks for plywood imports, particularly birch plywood, from Russia and Belarus. Producers use third-country companies to disguise origin via false documents. EU operators must apply enhanced due diligence, or face legal liability, including administrative and criminal penalties.

OFSI launched an on-demand online webinar providing an overview of sanctions guidance for High Value Dealers and Art Market Participants, covering new reporting obligations effective May 14, 2025.

OFSI updated its financial sanctions guidance for High Value Dealers and Art Market Participants, expanding reporting requirements effective May 14, 2025, to enhance compliance and prevent sanctions evasion in the UK luxury goods sector.