The United States Announces the Launch of a Channel for Humanitarian Aid to Iran

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced on Monday the establishment of a channel in Qatar to further facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of Iran, in line with the longstanding support of the U.S. government for humanitarian trade. OFAC stated in its announcement that this channel, similar to humanitarian channels created under previous administrations, is designed 'to support the access of the Iranian people to food, agricultural goods, medicine, and medical supplies under carefully calibrated measures that protect against money laundering, abuse, and evasion of U.S. sanctions.' The Office of Foreign Assets Control also emphasized that this humanitarian channel 'does not lift any of the U.S. sanctions against Iran, and the U.S. government will continue to impose sanctions against Iran's malign activities, including the proliferation of weapons and support for international terrorism.' OFAC also discussed how financial institutions can participate in this humanitarian channel for exporting humanitarian aid, stating that participating financial institutions have received specific guidance from the U.S. government and must coordinate directly with the Qatar International Media Office for their transactions with Iran. The Office of Foreign Assets Control further stressed that its requirements 'regarding humanitarian trade with Iran have not changed. Companies interested in participating in transactions based on existing exceptions and licenses for conducting humanitarian trade with Iran may continue to operate outside this channel.' In this regard, OFAC stated: 'For example, some humanitarian transactions related to the Central Bank of Iran and the National Iranian Oil Company are permitted under a license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.' The U.S. has sanctioned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in connection with the 'detention of American citizens.' The U.S. has also sanctioned key figures of 'Hezbollah' in South America and Lebanon. A statement from the U.S. President on the anniversary of Mahsa: 'We will remain committed to standing by the people of Iran.'