Jul 24

Jul 24 US Officials Warn of ‘Deceptive Web’ of Iran Business, But Hamper Transparency Efforts

◢ In a recent speech, Under Secretary of the Treasury Sigal Mandelker warned that foreign companies that maintain a presence in Iran must conduct “extra due diligence to keep them from being caught in Iran’s deceptive web.” But background conversations with several compliance specialists reveal that US sanctions are a major barrier to key AML/CTF reforms in Iran. Industry-standard compliance software is not accessible for Iranian end users, leaving some experts to conclude that Iran is being “set up to fail.”

Jun 29

Jun 29 Europeans Beat Back Americans as FATF Gives Iran More Time on Financial Reforms

Esfandyar Batmanghelidj

Economy

◢ At its plenary meeting in Paris, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) opted “to continue the suspension of countermeasures” related to Iran’s inclusion in the so-called “blacklist” of countries with deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating financing of terrorism (CFT) standards. The suspension will be in place until October 2018. The suspension can be seen as a victory for European and Iranian multilateral cooperation in the face of the increasingly hostile American posture.

Jun 22

Jun 22 FATF Faces Test of Fairness on Iran at Plenary Meeting

Fatemeh Mahjourian

Economy

◢ Iran is facing the end of a four month extension given by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for the reform of the country’s AML/CFT regulations. Iran will be hoping for a further extension of the suspension of countermeasures at the June plenary of the FATF. Some FATF members have sought to characterize such extensions as exceptional. However, extensions are a common procedure, and FATF ought to treat Iran’s case in fair recognition of this fact.

Jun 21

Jun 21 High Stakes for Iran in Upcoming FATF Meeting

Matthew Spivack

Policy

◢ A few days ahead of an international meeting in which Iran’s efforts to improve anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) standards will be reviewed, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared to pour cold water on the reform process. Yet, it is premature to assume that Iran’s consultations with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) are suddenly over after two years of close coordination. As the FATF’s plenary meeting approaches, the stakes are high for Iran, which is seeking another extension for implementation of its action plan.

Apr 30

Apr 30 Iran’s Currency Crisis Spurs Action in Financial Reform Efforts

Navid Kalhor

Economy

◢ Forced to respond by Iran’s recent currency crisis, the Central Bank of Iran is approaching regulatory reform in the financial sector with new energy. A critical deadline to meet standards set by the Financial Action Task Force is forthcoming in June. Iran needs to demonstrate progress in tackling financial crime estimated to include at least USD 27 billion in transactions annually.