National Security Council's Involvement in Cooperation with FATF

Following the rising criticisms of Iran's acceptance of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy for Europe and America at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, announced the National Security Council's involvement in this matter and its decision-making regarding it. According to a report on Tuesday, September 15, by Fars News Agency, Mr. Takht-Ravanchi stated, 'We have conducted negotiations to align our financial system with the international financial system, including discussions on FATF,' but emphasized that 'we will not exchange our independence for anything.' The Deputy Foreign Minister clarified that 'whatever the system decides in this regard will naturally be binding for the Foreign Ministry and all system organs.' In this context, the Supreme Council for Combating Money Laundering in Iran also issued a statement on Wednesday rejecting all criticisms regarding the Islamic Republic's accession to the FATF, announcing that any interaction with FATF 'will be conducted within the framework of the country's constitution and with respect to the system's interests.' The statement emphasized that accusations such as 'providing information about Iran's financial system to FATF and other countries,' 'accepting the Western definition of terrorism,' 'implementing UN sanctions against Iran,' and 'cutting relations with individuals subject to US sanctions' are not true if an agreement between Iran and FATF is implemented. The statement further noted, 'Implementing standards for combating the financing of terrorism and interacting with FATF within the framework of the country's constitution and respecting the system's interests is essential for combating corruption on one hand and enhancing international relations of the country's financial and economic system on the other.' The Supreme Council for Combating Money Laundering in Iran concluded by stating that Iran's 'cooperation' with international organizations 'will continue, considering all national, security, and economic considerations until achieving desirable results.' The Supreme Council for Combating Money Laundering is the highest body in the Islamic Republic for combating money laundering, chaired by the Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance. Other members include the Minister of Intelligence, Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade, Minister of Interior, and the Governor of the Central Bank. These explanations are in response to severe criticisms expressed in recent days by many principlist figures and groups regarding Iran's accession to the FATF. Critics argue that due to Iran's joining this international group, several Iranian banks have ceased cooperation with certain entities of the Islamic Republic, such as some units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which are subject to US or UN sanctions. Gholamali Haddad-Adel, a senior advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, had previously warned that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 'would not tolerate this humiliation.'