Which action does OFAC enforcement primarily involve?

• A. Providing licenses for all transactions
• B. Blocking assets and prohibiting transactions involving designated persons or entities
• C. Publishing press releases
• D. Granting waivers to all sanctions

Answer: (B)

OFAC enforcement centers on freezing assets and prohibiting most dealings with designated persons or entities. When someone is added to OFAC’s sanctions lists, any property under U.S. jurisdiction is blocked and U.S. persons are barred from engaging in most transactions with them. Licensing can allow specific, narrowly defined activities under General or Specific Licenses, but these licenses are exceptions and do not represent the default rule. Publishing announcements and public communications are about transparency, not the core enforcement action. Waivers or exemptions are limited and not granted broadly to all sanctions. The essential activity is preventing access to blocked assets and blocking or restricting transactions to protect the sanctions regime, with penalties for violations and compliance programs to prevent breaches.