Sanctions, embargoes, prohibitions, and restrictions have become a common practice of US foreign policy in relation to countries with which there are disagreements on political and economic issues.
Sanctions may relate to trade, military, politics, energy, and the legal sphere and apply not only to states but to individuals and companies.
Russia
The United States suspended cooperation with Russia due to the situation in Ukraine and the annexation of the Crimea in March 2014. At the same time, the first sanctions were imposed on Russian individuals and companies.
In the same year, US President Barack Obama issued special decrees "on supporting sovereignty, integrity, democracy, and economic stability of Ukraine" and "on supporting the freedom of Ukraine", on the basis of which a multi-level system of sanctions against the Russian Federation was introduced.
American sanctions are aimed at key sectors of the Russian economy: financial, energy, defense, mining, and smelting. These measures limit the provision of loans, investment services, prohibit the supply of weapons, military equipment, high-tech equipment and technologies (for example, for exploration and production of oil in deep-sea areas, on the Arctic shelf and in shale formations).
Special “Crimean” sanctions prohibit investments in this region, as well as the importation or exportation of goods, services or technologies into (from) the territory of the peninsula.
Iran
The United States imposed sanctions on Iran in 1979, after a group of radical students attacked the American embassy in Tehran.
The sanctions consisted of a massive freeze of Iranian assets and were expanded and supplemented over the following years.
In 1984, the US government imposed a ban on arms sales to the country and economic aid.
In 1996, the oil trade between Iran and the US was banned, as well as the supply of aviation equipment.
In 2004, direct contacts between banks of the two countries were banned, as well as the publication of Iranian scientific papers.
These sanctions led to a sharp rise in prices for essential goods and a decrease in the quality of life in the country.
North Korea
Diplomatic relations between the United States and North Korea deteriorated during the Cold War and the civil war on the Korean Peninsula.
At the outbreak of hostilities in 1950, the United States imposed economic sanctions against North Korea, which gradually tightened.
Since 2006, special attention has been paid to the fact that North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons, as well as constantly threatening the United States and its allies.
In March 2016, the authorities imposed regular sanctions against North Korea after accusations of organizing cyber attacks on Sony Pictures.
At present, relations between countries are improving, while the sanctions remain in force.
Syria
The United States broke off diplomatic relations with Syria in 2012, but sanctions were imposed on this country since 1986.
The United States accuses Syria of supporting terrorist groups and waging war with unlawful means (using chemical weapons), while the authorities deny all charges.
In addition, the United States imposed numerous sanctions against individuals and companies in Syria, who are also accused of terrorism and corruption.
US citizens are prohibited from trading fuel with Syria, as well as investing in this country.
Sudan
Relations between the United States and Sudan deteriorated amid accusations of the country's authorities in supporting terrorist organizations (Palestinian and Lebanese terrorists).
In 1993, the Republic of Sudan was declared a state sponsoring terrorism what served as the basis for the imposition of sanctions in the trade and financial sector.
Regular sanctions against the East African country were imposed in connection with Sudan’s support for Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait and the organization of the Pan-Arab Islamic Conference which opposed Western countries.
In addition, Sudan is accused of providing refuge to international terrorists.
Cuba
The first US sanctions against Cuba were introduced during the Cold War in 1960 since the communist country was an ally of the USSR.
The basis for the sanctions was the nationalization of private enterprises that belonged to American citizens.
Currently, countries maintain diplomatic relations, but tensions remain as do restrictions on doing business between the United States and Cuba.
The previous US President, Barack Obama, tried to improve relations, but this process slowed down since Donald Trump found the establishment of agreements with Cuba “unprofitable”.
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