The purpose of the OFAC regulations is to enforce embargoes and economic sanctions. In general, the OFAC regulations prohibit exports to certain sanctioned/embargoed countries such as Iran, Cuba, Sudan, North Korea, and Syria.
OFAC considers providing anything of value or a service to Iran or the government of Iran would require prior government approval. For example, giving a professional presentation, even if it does not contain materials controlled under ITAR or EAR, is deemed under OFAC to be a “service” and “something of value” provided to the recipient audience.
In addition to the points listed above there are other considerations which vary by country:
- Attending a conference in Iran (OFAC considers this to be an “import”) or speaking at a conference in Iran (providing a service or something of value) requires a license. An OFAC license for Iran generally takes six to nine months (or longer) to process once submitted.
- Participating in certain online courses abroad requires an OFAC license, if the student is ordinarily a resident of sanctioned country (Cuba, Iran, Syria, or the Crimea Region of the Ukraine).
- Any technical discussions, formal or informal, could require a license and would be prohibited prior to the receipt of the necessary license(s).
- Travel to Cuba has special considerations. For information on Cuba travel, see http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/cuba.aspx.
- The University of Arizona will NOT apply for an OFAC License for activities in or with Syria - no University travel to Syria will be approved. Travel to Iran will be approved on a case-by-case basis and only upon receipt of any required OFAC or other government licenses.
If an employee travels to any sanctioned country on their own time, the individual may not take or send anything university-owned such as equipment, software, technology, or data, or represent the university in any capacity.