American elections, EU court decisions and a potential wind-down of negotiations with Iran are complicating efforts by the United States and Europe to maintain uniformity in sanctions enforcement, say analysts.
Lawmakers should press ahead with Iran sanctions bills despite pressure to put off new restrictions while American and Iranian officials hold nuclear talks, according to David Ibsen, executive director of United Against Nuclear Iran.
The government of Iran and banks under its influence are increasingly using investments in foreign financial institutions as a means to circumvent sanctions, including restrictions on interbank messages, say sources.
The U.S. Treasury Department lifted sanctions from a British resident whose conviction more than 20 years ago on charges of attempting to transport nuclear triggers to Iraq was quashed by an English court.
After a busy year for federal sanctions officials, large banks with international footprints are increasingly instituting deeper, standalone audits of their related policies and procedures, say compliance officers and consultants.
Despite a legal settlement reversing sanctions against an Ohio-based charity, most banks will view the individuals once associated with the group as too risky to take on as clients, say compliance officers.
A recent court ruling that disallowed the freezing of an Islamic charity's assets could signal a major change in how the United States sanctions suspected terrorist financiers, say former investigators.
Two rulings in the case of an Ohio-based Muslim charity fighting a terrorism designation could tighten the timeframe federal prosecutors have for collecting evidence, say terrorist financing analysts.
At least two cases making their way through U.S. federal courts are challenging the U.S. Treasury Department's power to sanction individuals and organizations.