What is the primary function of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)?

The primary function of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is to administer and enforce economic and trade sanctions against targeted countries and regimes. OFAC operates under the U.S. Department of the Treasury and is responsible for implementing sanctions to advance national security and foreign policy interests. This includes actions against nations that support terrorism, engage in narcotics trafficking, or violate international norms.

By enforcing these sanctions, OFAC can restrict financial transactions and trade with designated countries or individuals, thereby exerting pressure on them to comply with U.S. laws or to change their behavior. The focus on sanctions as a tool for diplomacy underscores the importance of OFAC in regulating economic interactions to align with U.S. interests and values.

The other options describe functions that are not typically associated with OFAC. For instance, providing financial services, facilitating trade, or promoting global investments do not align with OFAC's primary role, which is strictly regulatory and focuses on compliance and enforcement rather than active economic engagement or facilitation.