Spokesman raps FATF’s political decision to blacklist Iran

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi denounced the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) political decision to blacklist the country.

According to Tasnim news agency, Mousavi said the stigma of money laundering and financing terrorism cannot be attached to Iran.

He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has implemented all the laws and regulations related to fighting money laundering and financing of terrorism for more than two years.

The spokesman said “International mechanisms have advantages and disadvantages. Iran was blacklisted by the FATF despite all the efforts we made in the country and all the laws and regulations we tried to comply with.”

“Unfortunately, this is also part of the politicization of international mechanisms by the United States, Saudi Arabia and the Zionist regime. Due to their influence on these mechanisms, they are trying to influence these issues politically,” Mousavi deplored.

He went on to say that Saudi Arabia, as the central bank of terrorism, and the Zionist regime, as an entity of terrorism, are committing the worst crimes and are directing such measures against Iran using their influence.

The FATF said on Friday that Iran would stay on its blacklist, and called on member states to sanction the country.

The Financial Action Task Force, a Paris-based monitoring group, had given Iran a February deadline to approve antiterrorism legislation or remain on the blacklist.

ME