Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister: $10 to $15 Billion is Laundered Annually in the Country

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran stated that Mohammad Javad Zarif did not accuse critics of implementing the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regulations of money laundering, while adding that according to statistics, at least $10 to $15 billion is laundered annually in Iran. Morteza Sarmadi said on Tuesday, November 20, that the figure for smuggling goods, drugs, and fuel is $10 to $15 billion, and 'a significant portion of this amount is laundered into Iran's financial system.' He emphasized that 'the figures for money laundering in the country are extensive, and combating it requires national determination and brave, decisive action against the main perpetrators of this destructive phenomenon in the country's economy.' Sarmadi also questioned how statements from Islamic Republic officials about discovering 'large networks of financial corruption in the country' are not seen as 'weakening the system,' while some become agitated by a self-evident statement from Zarif. Last week, Zarif, in an interview, attributed the 'atmospheric manipulation' against anti-money laundering bills in Iran to 'the economic interests of tens of thousands of billions of tomans' of certain individuals, stating that the cost of one such 'atmospheric manipulation' is equivalent to 'the budget of the Foreign Ministry.' Some members of parliament have reacted to these comments by discussing the impeachment of the Foreign Minister, and Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary, likened these remarks to 'a dagger in the heart of the system.' Zarif, in connection with the issue of money laundering, while implicitly referring to some government institutions, stated that he does not accuse any Islamic Republic institution in this regard. He said, 'The total budget of the Foreign Ministry is 1,100 billion tomans, which is less than the cultural budget of some cultural institutions that are connected to certain powerful organizations. We cannot counter that atmospheric manipulation.' Nevertheless, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran stated that in Zarif's interview, critics of the implementation of FATF regulations were not accused of money laundering. Commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and media affiliated with this institution, Friday prayer leaders, and other appointees of the Supreme Leader are the most serious opponents of the approval of bills related to the implementation of FATF regulations. The bill for Iran's accession to the Convention on Combating the Financing of Terrorism was recently rejected by the Guardian Council. The 'Supreme Council for Monitoring the Implementation of General Policies of the System,' which operates within the Expediency Discernment Council, has also raised objections to this bill. Previously, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, the Minister of Interior, spoke about the entry of 'dirty money' into the country's electoral system, but after questioning from members of parliament, he retracted his statements.