Which countries are currently under international sanctions?

The main jurisdictions targeted include North Korea, Iran, Syria, Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Venezuela, and Myanmar, as well as several countries subject to arms embargoes (Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Central African Republic, Mali). The exact scope changes constantly.

What is the difference between a comprehensive embargo and targeted sanctions?

A comprehensive embargo prohibits nearly all transactions with a country (e.g. North Korea, Cuba). Targeted sanctions focus on specific persons, entities or sectors (asset freezes, travel bans) without blocking the entire economy.

Is a European company affected by US (OFAC) sanctions?

Yes, potentially. US sanctions have extraterritorial reach: they can apply to dollar transactions, products containing US-origin components, or companies with US connections. An exposure analysis is essential.

Where can I verify whether a country or entity is under sanctions?

The official sources are the EU Sanctions Map (EU), the OFAC SDN List (United States), the UN sanctions registry, and the national asset-freeze registry in France. Regular screening is recommended as lists are updated frequently.

Reference guide

Countries under international sanctionsUN, European Union and OFAC

Q: Who decides on international sanctions?

Three main levels: the UN Security Council (binding universal sanctions), the Council of the European Union (restrictive measures applicable in the EU), and national authorities such as the US OFAC. In France, implementation falls to the Directorate General of the Treasury (DGT).

Which countries are targeted by international sanctions? Who decides on these measures? This guide presents the main jurisdictions targeted by the sanctions regimes of the United Nations, the European Union and the United States, along with the competent authorities.

Who decides on international sanctions?

International sanctions originate from several authorities whose competences overlap. Understanding "who decides" is essential to assess the legal scope of each measure and how it applies to a given company.

United Nations (UN)

Security Council

UN sanctions are adopted by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter. They are binding on all member states and form the common foundation of international sanctions law.

Official source

European Union (EU)

Council of the EU

The EU implements UN resolutions and adopts autonomous restrictive measures. EU regulations are directly applicable across all member states.

Official source

United States (OFAC)

Office of Foreign Assets Control

OFAC administers US sanctions, whose extraterritorial reach (secondary sanctions) can affect non-US companies operating in dollars or using US-origin components.

Official source

United Kingdom (OFSI)

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation - HM Treasury

Since Brexit, the UK runs an autonomous financial sanctions regime administered by OFSI, distinct from the EU's, maintaining its own consolidated list of targets.

Official source

China (MOFCOM)

Ministry of Commerce

China has built its own toolkit (Unreliable Entity List, Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law) administered notably by MOFCOM, creating counter-sanction and conflict-of-laws risks for companies.

Official source

List of the main jurisdictions under sanctions

The table below lists the main countries and territories targeted by international sanctions and indicates the regimes involved (UN, EU, OFAC) as well as the nature of the measures.

Jurisdiction	UN	EU	UK (OFSI)	OFAC (US)	Nature of measures
Afghanistan	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Asset freezes, arms embargo (Taliban / listed entities)
Belarus	-	✓	✓	Targeted	Sectoral and individual sanctions (EU, US, UK)
Myanmar (Burma)	-	✓	✓	Targeted	Arms embargo, targeted post-coup sanctions
Central African Republic	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Arms embargo, asset freezes
North Korea (DPRK)	✓	✓	✓	Comprehensive	Near-total embargo, proliferation, dual-use goods
Cuba	-	-	-	Comprehensive	Full US embargo (autonomous OFAC regime)
Iraq	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Asset freezes (former regime), asset recovery
Iran	-	✓	✓	Comprehensive	Nuclear, proliferation, financial, energy, dual-use
Libya	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Arms embargo, asset freezes
Mali	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Targeted sanctions, asset freezes
Russia	-	✓	✓	Enhanced sectoral	Sweeping sanctions: finance, energy, technology, dual-use
Somalia	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Arms embargo, asset freezes
Sudan & South Sudan	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Arms embargo, individual sanctions
Syria	-	✓	✓	Comprehensive	Embargo, asset freezes, energy and financial restrictions
Venezuela	-	✓	✓	Sectoral	Sectoral (oil, gold) and individual sanctions
Yemen	✓	✓	✓	Targeted	Arms embargo, asset freezes
Zimbabwe	-	✓	✓	Targeted	Targeted individual sanctions

Disclaimer: This table is provided for information purposes and changes constantly. Sanctions regimes are amended frequently. For any operational decision, consult the official sources (EU Sanctions Map, OFAC SDN List, UN registry) and legal counsel.

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