Iran's Minister of Economy: Tehran Fully Implements Agreement with the Financial Action Task Force

Iran's Minister of Economy, Ali Tayebnia, stated that the Islamic Republic will implement the agreement with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) while referring to parliamentary laws regarding the fight against corruption and the financing of terrorism. This statement comes amid opposition from conservatives against the acceptance of FATF standards by the government of Hassan Rouhani. In an interview with 'Al-Monitor', Tayebnia noted that Iran's programs to combat money laundering and terrorism financing began 15 years ago, with the first law in this regard passed in 2007. He mentioned that an information center has been established in Iran, and Iranian banks have software that identifies any suspicious financial transactions. The Minister emphasized that Iran collaborates with countries such as Armenia, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and Iraq in financial intelligence matters. Tayebnia also mentioned that Iran cooperates with financial intelligence units in Russia, Iraq, and Syria against the financing of the Islamic State (ISIS). The Iranian parliament approved the law for Iran's accession to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in 2008. In the interview, he reiterated the commitment to fully implement the laws against terrorism financing, stating that the main approach is to combat corruption, smuggling, and terrorism. The law on combating terrorism financing was approved by the Guardian Council after being passed by the parliament in 2015. According to this law, 'nations or liberation groups are not considered terrorist acts,' and the determination of which groups fall under this provision is the responsibility of the Supreme National Security Council. Meanwhile, some parliament members have stated that if FATF regulations are implemented, Iran will recognize groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas as 'terrorist groups' from 2018 onwards. However, Abbas Araghchi, the Deputy for Legal and International Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, previously emphasized that Iran would not sacrifice Hezbollah for the implementation of these regulations. Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, announced that the Supreme National Security Council has approved 'new conditions' for accepting FATF standards. Ali Shamkhani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, also stated that the council has reached a 'positive conclusion' regarding cooperation with FATF, which will be implemented after the approval of the Supreme Leader. In this context, Mohammad Baqer Nobakht, the government spokesman, requested respect for the discussions raised in the Supreme National Security Council in response to criticisms from Friday prayer leaders. In contrast, the Policy Council of Friday Prayer Leaders announced that they would not wait for government permission for their 'goodwill reminders.' Besides the Friday prayer leaders, some close associates of the Supreme Leader, including Gholamali Haddad Adel, advisor to Ayatollah Khamenei, and Hossein Shariatmadari, representative of the Supreme Leader in Kayhan newspaper, have strongly opposed this agreement. Ahmad Jannati, Secretary of the Guardian Council, also announced on Friday, September 19, that he would 'prevent' the implementation of this agreement. After Iranian central bank officials reached an agreement with FATF on an 'action plan' for combating money laundering and terrorism, this international group announced in early July that it had suspended the restrictions on Iran's banking system for 12 months.