Khamenei's Representative Calls for Rejection of Anti-Terrorism Financing Convention Bill

Simultaneously with 'death threats' to several members of parliament for voting in favor of Iran's accession to the Anti-Terrorism Financing Convention, the representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic in the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards also called on the Guardian Council to reject this bill. According to Fars News Agency, Ali Shirazi on Tuesday, October 8, considered the approval of this bill as a means to prevent the Islamic Republic from supporting its allied groups in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. He emphasized that 'the Guardian Council has a duty today to stop this movement.' Shirazi also referred to the remarks of the Iranian Foreign Minister in the Sunday parliament session, stating that the approval of this bill would 'reduce American pretexts,' adding: 'Does this mean we are doing this under American pressure? Where has our honor gone? Shouldn't we shout?' The Iranian parliament approved the 'Iran's accession to the Anti-Terrorism Financing Convention' bill on Sunday in a controversial session after four months. In response to this action, Shirazi pointed out the Supreme Leader's previous opposition to the approval of this bill, saying: 'The Islamic Consultative Assembly approved yesterday that the Islamic Republic join the FATF convention, meaning we should stop supporting Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Isn't that so?' Shirazi's comments regarding the Supreme Leader's position on this bill came at a time when, despite Khamenei's previous opposition, it was announced in the public session of the parliament that he had no objection to the approval of this bill. According to a letter sent from the Supreme Leader's office to the parliament, Ayatollah Khamenei stated: 'What I said in the meeting with the representatives regarding the four bills and conventions was related to the principle of the conventions and not a specific convention; therefore, I have no objection to the review of these bills in the parliament.' Nevertheless, media close to the Supreme Leader continue to strongly attack this bill. Meanwhile, several members of parliament, including Parvaneh Salahshouri, a representative from Tehran, announced that they had been 'threatened with death' due to their positive vote on this bill. The Governorate of Razavi Khorasan announced that 'the source of these text messages' is a former member of the Mashhad City Council known by the initials 'K.M.' Media also reported that this individual is Khalil Mohammadi, a former member of the Mashhad City Council. Mohammadi stated in an interview with ISNA that sending these text messages was 'a collective order. In fact, we made various decisions, one of which was the text message that everyone carried out.' He also mentioned that this order was issued from a Hussainiyah where this decision was made, but since the organizations are related to us, everyone executed this decision. Mohammadi announced that he would continue sending text messages in the future. Conservatives had opposed the approval of this bill for months, and widespread protests were also taking place in front of the parliament building during the voting on Sunday (October 8) regarding the fate of this bill. The bill for Iran's accession to the 'Anti-Terrorism Financing Convention,' known as 'CFT,' is one of four bills whose approval and implementation will prevent Iran from being placed on the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Now, less than ten days remain until the FATF deadline for Iran to implement 41 recommendations for transparency in financial and banking transactions, and this bill must also be approved by the Guardian Council.