Zarif on FATF: It Doesn't Solve All Problems, but Strengthens National Interests

On Tuesday, September 17, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic emphasized that the approval of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) bills does not solve all problems, but it removes 'one of the most important excuses of Iran's enemies.' The government of Hassan Rouhani has presented four bills to the parliament to prevent Iran from being placed on the FATF blacklist: 'Joining the Convention against Organized Crime,' 'Joining the Convention against the Financing of Terrorism,' 'Amending the Anti-Money Laundering Law,' and 'Amending the Law on Combating the Financing of Terrorism,' but only the amendment to the law on combating the financing of terrorism has been approved. Opponents of Iran's accession to FATF regulations, mostly from the opposition of Rouhani's government, argue that this would block financial assistance to 'Hamas' and 'Hezbollah.' Proponents of joining this treaty argue that the opponents fear economic transparency and the prevention of banking corruption. The President of Iran issued the new law on combating the financing of terrorism on August 11, but three related bills have not been approved due to opposition from the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council. Meanwhile, in mid-September, Mahmoud Sadqi, a representative from Tehran, reported that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had agreed to the approval of the anti-money laundering bills. Now, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister, reiterated his defense of these bills, stating that 'the Supreme Leader has also delegated this matter to the parliament, and we hope that in the meantime, the parliament will remove an unfounded excuse from the United States and countries that are themselves the biggest supporters of terrorism.' He explained that 'the three remaining bills are for the interests of the country and for transparency and combating false Iranophobia in the world.' The Foreign Minister also emphasized that the approval of these bills will not 'solve all our problems.' He stated, 'It is a mistaken assumption to think that the approval of these bills will solve all our problems. The malice against Iran from the hegemonists will continue, but one of their important excuses will be taken away.' These remarks from the Iranian Foreign Minister seem to be a response to criticism from several parliament members who have recently stated that the approval of these bills will not solve the current economic and financial problems of the country. For instance, Mohammad Reza Hassan Khani, a member of the parliament's Planning and Budget Commission, told Mehr News Agency that 'the country's problems are more due to U.S. sanctions than the lack of approval of FATF-related bills.' According to Mr. Hassan Khani, 'evidence shows that the approval of these bills is not very helpful, although the government insists it is effective.' Fars News Agency also quoted a member of the Energy Commission of the parliament stating that '80 percent of FATF's demands have been implemented, but it has not had a positive impact on banking relations.' Next week's meeting regarding the JCPOA will take place next week. Mohammad Javad Zarif also announced on Tuesday that Iran will have another meeting with the 1+5 group minus the U.S. next week. According to the Iranian Foreign Minister, Iran is 'waiting for the implementation of practical measures' from Europe in this regard. He stated, 'Europe has started practical measures, and we are waiting for the implementation of these practical measures. Europeans also know that we will make decisions based on these practical measures.' The term 'practical measures' was used a day earlier by Ali Akbar Salehi. Mr. Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of the Islamic Republic, called on the European Union to accelerate its efforts to save the nuclear agreement with Iran. According to Mr. Salehi, 'It is essential that these steps [by Europe] are completed with more practical and firm measures, and the approach of gradual actions is not a suitable mechanism in response to the conditions resulting from the stubborn policies of the U.S. in undermining UN Security Council Resolution 2231.'