TITLE: United States Office of Foreign Assets Control Adds Individuals and Entities to Sanctions Designations List
BODY:
On July 15, 2026, the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced updates to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, targeting individuals and entities involved in weapons procurement for the Iranian regime and counter-terrorism activities.
OFAC added four individuals to the SDN List: Vadim Anatolyevich Druzhbin (Russia, DOB May 10, 1987), Dounia Ettaib (Italy, DOB April 27, 1979), Behrouz Namazi (Iran, DOB July 22, 1987), and Mariya Vladimirovna Selina (Russia, DOB February 17, 1985). All individuals are subject to secondary sanctions. OFAC also designated three entities: Avratek OOO (Russia, established December 6, 2013), Nika Jet Company (Iran, established January 18, 2016), and Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited (Nigeria, established May 20, 2026). These entities are linked to weapons procurement networks and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Additionally, OFAC modified existing designations for two Mexican criminal organisations. The Juarez Cartel received updated aliases, including "Barrio Azteca," and was designated as a transnational terrorist group under Executive Order 13224, as amended by Executive Order 13886. Los Viagras was similarly redesignated as a transnational terrorist group with the additional alias "Los Blancos de Troya," and now carries secondary sanctions risk designations.
All designated individuals and entities are subject to asset freezes and transaction prohibitions. Financial institutions, businesses, and individuals must comply with these designations by blocking transactions and reporting any existing accounts or assets held by the listed parties. OFAC's SDN List is regularly updated and searchable on its website to enable compliance with United States sanctions programmes.