US Treasury names acting top sanctions official

Brad Smith, a seasoned U.S. Treasury Department employee, will be acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, the White House said. Reuters a spokesman for the ministry, assuming the role of overseeing the department’s sanctions policy, one of Washington’s most widely used foreign policy tools.

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Smith’s appointment comes as the United States seeks to increase pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and maintains strong punitive measures against countries such as Iran.

Reuters first reported that Smith would take over.

Smith will take over the acting role following Brian Nelson’s departure on Friday, the spokesperson said. The sources confirmed that Nelson was leaving to work on Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

Smith will focus on continuing to degrade Russia’s ability to wage war in Ukraine, the spokesman said, as well as cutting off funding to Iran and its associated groups, combating the illicit flow of fentanyl into the United States and implementing regulatory efforts.

Smith was appointed director of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in 2023. He previously served as deputy director and chief legal counsel for the office.

Under President Joe Biden, Smith has worked on Washington’s imposition of thousands of sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, which have included designations of Russian banks, oligarchs, President Vladimir Putin and companies in China, Turkey and other countries.

The Biden administration has also stepped up anti-narcotics measures and sought to modernize the use of sanctions.

During the previous administration of President Donald Trump, the office issued sweeping measures against Iran and Venezuela, among others.

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