There’s prospect for lifting of sanctions in dignified manner: government

TEHRAN – Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said on Tuesday that there is a prospect for cancellation of all nuclear and non-nuclear sanctions against Iran in a “dignified manner”.

Ayatollah Shabestari opposes FATF

TEHRAN – Ayatollah Mojtahed Shabestari, a member of the Expediency Council, has opposed ratification of the FATF conventions, saying a majority of the Council members also have such an opinion. 

‘There is no term as blacklist in FATF’

TEHRAN - Gholamreza Mesbahi-Moghadam, a member of the Expediency Council, has said that there is no term like “blacklist” in the FATF (the Financial Action Task Force) and Iran has been put on the list of “non-cooperative” countries.

‘Removal from FATF blacklist is open to Iran’

TEHRAN – Kourosh Ahmadi, an expert on international affairs, has said that the way to get removed from the FATF blacklist is open to Iran.

RUSI acknowledges FATF being a political tool for U.S.

TEHRAN - The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), in its latest report, acknowledges that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is politically oriented and acts as a leverage for the U.S. government.

No fault with Palermo bill based on constitution: presidential aide

TEHRAN - Laya Joneidi, the presidential aide for legal affairs, said on Wednesday that based on the constitution, there is no fault in the Palermo bill.

Failure to join FATF is harmful to country: expert

TEHRAN - A senior political analyst has said that failure to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is harmful to the country.

Mohsen Rezaee says politicizing FATF and pressing Expediency Council to approve it are ‘suspicious’

Palermo and CFT are extremely dangerous, says Expediency Council chief Amoli Larijani

TEHRAN — Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani has said accession to Palermo Convention and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) is extremely dangerous for Iran’s national security.

‘FATF blacklisting can have serious consequences’

TEHRAN - Diako Hosseini, director of the World Studies Program at the presidential Centre for Strategic Studies, has said that being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will have serious consequences.

Senior lawyer: Leader’s view can turn FATF-related bills into executable law  

TEHRAN- A senior lawyer acting as advisor in the Iranian parliament said on Monday that withdrawal of the FATF-related bills from the Expediency Council’s agenda is meant confirmation of the Guardian Council’s view, noting that in such cases the bills can take effect by the Leader’s verdict. 

Joining FATF will prevent economic isolation of Iran: MP

TEHRAN - Abolfazl Soroush, a member of the Hope parliamentary faction, has said that joining the Financial Action Task Force will prevent economic isolation of Iran.

Expediency Council still evaluating FATF-related bills: secretary 

TEHRAN - The secretary of the Guardian Council announced on Tuesday that Palermo and CFT bills are still under assessment in the council. 

Palermo, CFT bills still on evaluation table: Expediency Council

TEHRAN - The two FATF-related bills of Palermo and CFT have not yet received green light, the Expediency Council announced in a statement on Saturday, saying the bills are under accurate assessment. 

Failure to join FATF would benefit enemies: ex-ambassador

TEHRAN - Ali Majedi, Iran’s former ambassador to Germany, has said that a failure to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will limit Iran’s economic interaction and this is what the enemies want.

‘Failure to join FATF won’t be good for economy’

TEHRAN - Mehdi Motaharnia, a political analyst, has claimed that if Iran refuses to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international consensus would be formed against Iran.

Analyst says failure to join FATF will not meet Iran’s interests

TEHRAN – Abdolhossein Sasan, a political and economic analyst, has said that refusing to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will block Iran’s financial interaction with other countries.

Expediency Council sets aside Palermo bill

TEHRAN - Iran’s Expediency Council has set aside studies to approve the Palermo bill, Gholamreza Mesbahi-Moghadam has said.

‘EC members see no need to pass FATF-related bills’

TEHRAN – A member of the Expediency Council (EC) has said no need is felt among members of the council to pass FATF-related bills, including the Palermo and CFT bills.

Expediency Council addresses CFT, Palermo bills

TEHRAN – The Expediency Council (EC) on Sunday addressed the ratification of two controversial bills on Iran’s accession to the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

‘Expediency Council to decide about CFT soon’

TEHRAN - Hossein Mozaffar, a member of the Expediency Council, has said that the council will decide about the CFT (the convention combatting financing of terrorism) and Palermo bill by end of the current Iranian calendar month (which ends on June 21).

‘CFT and Palermo are being studied’

TEHRAN - Majid Ansari has said the Expediency Council is studying CFT (the convention combatting financing of terrorism) and Palermo bill.

It is essential experts help Expediency Council in decision on FATF: Foreign Ministry official

TEHRAN - Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said on Tuesday that it is necessary that economic experts help members of the Expediency Council in their decision on joining the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Zarif highlights necessity of joining FATF

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Sunday that it is essential to approve the bills to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Expediency Council still considering Palermo bill: member

TEHRAN – The Expediency Council will consider the CFT bill after determining the fate of the bill on UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, also known as Palermo Convention, a council member said on Friday.

By Haniyeh Sadat Jafariyeh

Contentious case of FATF membership

The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Friday extended the suspension of countermeasures against Iran for another four months, until June, recognizing the country's efforts in meeting its Action Plan.

Foreign Minister Zarif says Expediency Council should decide on FATF based on realities

Zarif, Araqchi push for ratification of FATF by Expediency Council

TEHRAN – Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his deputy Abbas Araqchi on Sunday called for ratification of the FATF by the Expediency Council.

BY Haniyeh Sadat Jafariyeh

SPV: A European mechanism to struggle U.S., gain economic autonomy

In their joint statement on that last day of January, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, and British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt introduced the SPV (a special purpose vehicle) also called INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges), the financial mechanism which enables Iran to keep doing business with the rest of the world despite the draconian financial sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.

‘U.S. seeking to restrict Iran’s defense power through FATF’

TEHRAN - Ahmad Vahidi, president of the Supreme National Defense University, said on Monday that the U.S. is seeking to restrict Iran’s defense and nuclear power through the FATF (Financial Action Task Force).

“EU will not tolerate a suicidal atmosphere against Iran”

MP believes FATF blacklisting of Iran is unlikely 

TEHRAN – The head of the Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Committee has said he does not think the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will blacklist Iran if the country does not fully implement the money-laundering watchdog’s requirements.

Expediency Council to decide on Palermo Convention in next session

TEHRAN – The Expediency Council on Saturday decided to discuss the issue of Iran’s accession to the Palermo Convention in the next session.