Australian Senate committee publishes report on the effectiveness of Australian sanctions on Russia
The Senate committee has tabled its report into the effectiveness of Australia’s sanctions against russia, calling on the Government to tighten the laws. The Committee noted in its report that it “agree[d] with the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations” (AFUO) that steps should be taken to begin the process of closing loopholes which undermine Australia’s support for Ukraine.
Extension of EU sanctions lists: Five new persons subject to restrictive measures
The Council of the European Union adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1940 of 7 August 2026, introducing further restrictive measures in response to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine. The amendment to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 expands the EU sanctions lists by adding five key persons managing entities of the Russian defence and technology industries. The new sanctions include, m.in, managers related to the production of navigation systems, consumer and industrial electronics, drone software, and space and missile technologies. From the perspective of the electronics, ICT and compliance sectors, the inclusion of these entities and individuals on the sanctions list requires immediate verification of business partners and supply chains for the risk of violating export and financial bans. Those responsible for international trade and legal compliance must update their due diligence procedures to eliminate the risk of cooperation with newly sanctioned individuals and their related entities. The Regulation enters into force on 8 August 2026, is binding in its entirety and is directly applicable in all Member States.
Italian national sentenced by the US for conspiracy to commit export control violations
Federal court in Brooklyn, Italian national Manfred Gruber was sentenced by United States District Judge Hector Gonzalez to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to commit export control violations. Gruber pleaded guilty to the charge on March 30, 2026. Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s National Security Division; James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and David Peters, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), announced the charges. Source
Switzerland updates Iran money transfer notification and authorisation forms
On 19.08.2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER updated the notification and authorisation forms for money transfers pursuant to Art. 21 of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. As of August 26, only the updated forms will be accepted. Source
UK sanctions
- Friday 31 July, the UK Government has varied 5 designations under the Afghanistan Sanctions Regime. This reflects the decision to amend these designations made by the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee pursuant to Resolution 1988 (2011) on 30 July.
- Thursday 6th August, the UK Government has designated the following individual and 12 entities, and specified the following 6 ships, under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations.
UK sanctions
- Friday 28 August, the UK Government has varied the designation of 1 individual under the Afghanistan Sanctions Regime. This reflects the update to this listing made on 27 August by the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011). Thursday 27 August, the UK Government has amended the designations of 2 individuals sanctioned under the Afghanistan Regime.
- Thursday 20 August, the UK Government has varied the designations of 13 individuals and 8 entities sanctioned under the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Regime. This reflects the updates to these listings made on 18 August by the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015).
- Monday 17 August, the UK Government has varied the designations of 6 individuals and 2 entities sanctioned under the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Regime. This reflects the recent updates to these listings made by the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015).
Ukraine: Federal Council implements 20th package of sanctions in line with previous practice
On 19 August, the Federal Council decided to adopt the further measures from the European Union’s (EU) 20th sanctions package against Russia in line with previous practice. The new measures will take effect on 20 August. Switzerland already added 115 individuals and entities to its sanctions list on 22 May. Source
US issues renewed Russia diamond imports general licence
The US has issued Russia-related General License 104B, authorising transactions related to imports of certain diamonds. GL 104B authorises transactions that are ordinarily incident and necessary to importing certain diamonds into the US. This includes importation for admission into a foreign trade zone in the US. The licence applies only if the diamonds were physically located outside Russia before, and have not been exported or re-exported from Russia since:
- 1 March 2024, for non-industrial diamonds weighing 1.0 carat or more; or
- 1 September 2024, for non-industrial diamonds weighing 0.5 carats or more. Source
US adds Palestine Action to counterterrorism sanctions list
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Counter Terrorism General License 36, "Authorizing the Wind Down of Transactions Involving Autistici Inventati." Additionally, OFAC is issuing Russia-related General License 104B, "Authorizing Transactions Related to Imports of Certain Diamonds Prohibited by Executive Order 14068." Finally, OFAC has updated the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. Source
United States: BIS eases US export controls on drones
On August 13, 2026, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule streamlining export controls on commercial drones and related technology, removing requirements that the Trump Administration concluded were undermining US competitiveness without meaningfully advancing national security objectives. Simultaneously, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 imposing tariffs of up to 100 percent on imported UAS and components, citing the national security risks posed by excessive reliance on foreign – particularly Chinese – drone manufacturers. Together, these actions advance the objectives of Executive Order (EO) 14307, “Unleashing American Drone Dominance,” and signal a pivot toward strengthening domestic drone manufacturing capacity while enabling US industry to compete globally. Companies that manufacture, export, import, or integrate drone technology are encouraged to assess the impact of both rules on their operations.
UN amends 21 entries on ISIL and Al-Qaida sanctions list
On 18 August 2026, the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da’esh), Al‑Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities enacted the amendments specified with strikethrough and underline in the entries below on its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List of individuals and entities subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo set out in paragraph 1 of Security Council resolution 2734 (2024), and adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. Source