Analysis by: PMOI/MEK
Iran, June 11, 2018 – The Iranian regime parliament on Sunday voted to for two-months postponement of a bill vote over the regime joining the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Tehran seeks time to allow the result of its talks with Europe reach a conclusion and decide afterwards.
The FATF is a convention aimed at fighting to disrupt money laundering and funds for terrorist groups. Various FATF regulations will bring about major restrictions for the Iranian regime’s banking systems.
“We cannot neglect the FATF and say we will not join the convention. The FATF is an internationally recognized framework and if we intend to work with the world’s bank we are forced to adapt ourselves with its conditions,” said the Iranian regime’s deputy economy minister, cited by the state Vatane Emruz daily.
Kayhan daily, known to be the mouthpiece of Iranian regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, had this to share.
“Joining the FATF will provide new legal tools at our enemies’ disposal, establish a world consensus against the state and realize increasing sanctions against the country’s state institutions, such as the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)… Will this not lead to a blow to the heroic [Lebanese] Hezbollah and the state’s strategic depth?
“The U.S. is seeking to overthrow us; Europe pursues its own economic interest and stopping our missile and regional power; and the FATF will provide tools to these powers that are looking to gain influence over our economic/political security and regional influence,” the piece explains.
The faction close to Khamenei in the regime’s parliament issued a statement saying:
“Bearing in mind the fact that the world’s major powers consider the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas in Palestine, Yemen’s Ansarollah [Houthis], Iraq’s Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) and other similar groups as terrorist entities, and instead at least covertly support the [PMOI/MEK], joining the FATF will render endless international measures and increasing sanctions against a variety of our state entities, including the IRGC. Our state institutions and officials will be divided into two classifications of sanctioned and non-sanctioned entities. As a result, there will also be entities sanctioned inside the country. At the end of the day, Iran’s dossier will be referred to The Hague and United Nations Security Council.”
Tehran’s grave concerns about the FATF, and their lose-lose situation, evolved further through the remarks of another regime MP.
“If we choose not to join this convention, we will not be able to monitor the hypocrites, or the so-called People's Mojahedin Organization, in any country. However, by joining [the FATF] we can pursue the measures taken across the globe against the Islamic Republic, our country, our national interests,” said Iranian lawmaker Mostafa Kavakabian.
Interesting is how Tehran claims the PMOI/MEK is a group with no roots inside the country and is facing complete demise. And all the while, with the FATF placing the regime before damning circumstances, the case of monitoring the PMOI/MEK’s measures against the Iranian regime is linked to the mullahs joining this international platform or not.
