Latest news with #ExpediencyCouncil
Al Arabiya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Iran moves closer to compliance with global dirty money watchdog's rules
Iran's top arbitration body has approved a bill that could help remove Tehran from the blacklist of a global financial crime watchdog, state media reported on Wednesday, potentially advancing efforts to widen trade and investment opportunities. Iran has been on the blacklist of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force since 2020, after failing to comply with international standards on anti-terrorism financing and fighting organized crime. The presence of the sanctions-hit country on the list has deepened its isolation from financial markets. Iran's Expediency Council approved the Palermo Convention against transnational organized crime in the framework of local laws, state media said. The council said it will study joining the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) bill in upcoming sessions. While foreign businesses say Iran's compliance with FATF rules is essential if it wants to attract investors, Iranian authorities are divided over the merits of such a step. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian supports compliance, as it could ease foreign trade with Europe and Asia at a time when the country's economy is targeted by US sanctions. Pezeshkian said in 2024 that Tehran had no choice but to 'fix issues' related to FATF. In contrast, hardliners in the Islamic Republic argue that passing legislation to abide by FATF standards could hamper Iran's support for its paramilitary allies around the region, including Lebanon's Hezbollah. The Expediency Council is a body that mediates in disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists overseen by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in all state matters in Iran.
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Iran moves closer to compliance with global dirty money watchdog's rules
A general view of vehicular traffic in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. DUBAI - Iran's top arbitration body has approved a bill that could help remove Tehran from the blacklist of a global financial crime watchdog, state media reported on Wednesday, potentially advancing efforts to widen trade and investment opportunities. Iran has been on the blacklist of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force since 2020, after failing to comply with international standards on anti-terrorism financing and fighting organised crime. The presence of the sanctions-hit country on the list has deepened its isolation from financial markets. Iran's Expediency Council approved the Palermo Convention against transnational organised crime in the framework of local laws, state media said. The council said it will study joining the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) bill in upcoming sessions. While foreign businesses say Iran's compliance with FATF rules is essential if it wants to attract investors, Iranian authorities are divided over the merits of such a step. Iran's moderate government supports compliance, as it could ease foreign trade with Europe and Asia at a time when the country's economy is targeted by U.S. sanctions. President Masoud Pezeshkian said in 2024 that Tehran had no choice but to "fix issues" related to FATF. In contrast, hardliners in the Islamic Republic argue that passing legislation to abide by FATF standards could hamper Iran's support for its paramilitary allies around the region, including Lebanon's Shi'ite militant Hezbollah group. The Expediency Council is a body that mediates in disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
14-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Iran moves closer to compliance with global dirty money watchdog's rules
DUBAI, May 14 (Reuters) - Iran's top arbitration body has approved a bill that could help remove Tehran from the blacklist of a global financial crime watchdog, state media reported on Wednesday, potentially advancing efforts to widen trade and investment opportunities. Iran has been on the blacklist of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force since 2020, after failing to comply with international standards on anti-terrorism financing and fighting organised crime. The presence of the sanctions-hit country on the list has deepened its isolation from financial markets. Iran's Expediency Council approved the Palermo Convention against transnational organised crime in the framework of local laws, state media said. The council said it will study joining the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) bill in upcoming sessions. While foreign businesses say Iran's compliance with FATF rules is essential if it wants to attract investors, Iranian authorities are divided over the merits of such a step. Iran's moderate government supports compliance, as it could ease foreign trade with Europe and Asia at a time when the country's economy is targeted by U.S. sanctions. President Masoud Pezeshkian said in 2024 that Tehran had no choice but to "fix issues" related to FATF. In contrast, hardliners in the Islamic Republic argue that passing legislation to abide by FATF standards could hamper Iran's support for its paramilitary allies around the region, including Lebanon's Shi'ite militant Hezbollah group. The Expediency Council is a body that mediates in disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iran moves closer to compliance with global dirty money watchdog's rules
DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's top arbitration body has approved a bill that could help remove Tehran from the blacklist of a global financial crime watchdog, state media reported on Wednesday, potentially advancing efforts to widen trade and investment opportunities. Iran has been on the blacklist of the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force since 2020, after failing to comply with international standards on anti-terrorism financing and fighting organised crime. The presence of the sanctions-hit country on the list has deepened its isolation from financial markets. Iran's Expediency Council approved the Palermo Convention against transnational organised crime in the framework of local laws, state media said. The council said it will study joining the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) bill in upcoming sessions. While foreign businesses say Iran's compliance with FATF rules is essential if it wants to attract investors, Iranian authorities are divided over the merits of such a step. Iran's moderate government supports compliance, as it could ease foreign trade with Europe and Asia at a time when the country's economy is targeted by U.S. sanctions. President Masoud Pezeshkian said in 2024 that Tehran had no choice but to "fix issues" related to FATF. In contrast, hardliners in the Islamic Republic argue that passing legislation to abide by FATF standards could hamper Iran's support for its paramilitary allies around the region, including Lebanon's Shi'ite militant Hezbollah group. The Expediency Council is a body that mediates in disputes between parliament and the Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists overseen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Al Manar
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Iranian FM Reaffirms Nuclear Rights, Urges Western Commitment to Diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to diplomacy in resolving the 'fabricated crisis' over its peaceful nuclear program, emphasizing that continuing down this path requires genuine political will and a realistic approach from the other side. In a phone call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araghchi stressed that Iran, as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), remains committed to its obligations. However, he firmly reiterated Iran's legitimate right to peaceful nuclear energy, including uranium enrichment as a necessary component. Araghchi pointed to 'bitter past experiences' of broken promises by other parties, noting that any balanced, fair, and sustainable agreement must avoid introducing extralegal demands and instead include serious guarantees—particularly regarding the lifting of sanctions and ensuring Iran's economic benefits. He criticized the contradiction between US statements and actions, citing continued sanctions and threats as deepening mistrust and casting doubt over Washington's sincerity in pursuing diplomacy. Engagement with Europe and Hope for Constructive Dialogue He also referred to multiple rounds of dialogue with Germany, France, and the UK over the past year, reaffirming Tehran's readiness to continue engaging with European partners and expressing hope they adopt a constructive approach to peacefully resolve the disputes. UN Secretary-General Guterres, for his part, underscored the importance of continuing indirect talks between Iran and the US until a resolution is achieved. Iran's Right to a Full Nuclear Fuel Cycle In a separate post on X, Araghchi asserted that 'repeating lies does not change fundamental truths,' declaring that as a founding member of the NPT, Iran has the inherent right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle. While generally avoiding public commentary on negotiation details, Araghchi noted that many NPT members enrich uranium while rejecting nuclear weapons altogether—highlighting that this 'nuclear club' includes several Asian, European, and South American nations alongside Iran. I generally refrain from airing arguments on key negotiation elements through the media. What I will say is that repeating falsehoods will not change basic facts. As a founding signatory to the NPT, Iran has every right to possess the full nuclear fuel cycle. Moreover, there… — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 2, 2025 He warned that extreme positions and provocative statements would only 'destroy chances for success.' Larijani: Talks with the US are political, not legal Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, a senior member of Iran's Expediency Council, said on Saturday that negotiations with the United States over the nuclear issue are 'political, not legal.' Speaking at Shahed University, Larijani argued that if the matter were purely legal, discussions would be with the International Atomic Energy Agency—not the US or European states. He described negotiations as a tool that should serve national interests, stating, 'If talks fail to ensure those interests, they lose their justification.' Larijani concluded that while talks may or may not yield results, their success hinges entirely on the fairness and rationality of the opposing side. 'The reality behind many global rules and norms,' he added, 'is not institutional order—but power.' He emphasized that Washington today seeks to project its power and extend its influence globally, and this continues to define its behavior on the international stage.
