Countries determined by the Secretary of State to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism are designated pursuant to three laws: section1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961). Taken together, the four main categories of sanctions resulting from designation under these authorities include restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance; a ban on defense exports and sales; certain controls over exports of dual use items; and miscellaneous financial and other restrictions.

Designation under the above-referenced authorities also implicates other sanctions laws that penalize persons and countries engaging in certain trade with state sponsors. Currently there are four countries designated under these authorities: Cuba, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, and Syria.

Country Designation Date
Cuba January 12, 2021
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) November 20, 2017
Iran January 19, 1984
Syria December 29, 1979

For more details about State Sponsors of Terrorism, see “Overview of State Sponsored Terrorism” in Country Reports on Terrorism.

U.S. Department of State

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