Russian, Chinese Banks Refrain From Serving Iranians
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Chairman of Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce says currently there is no banking transaction with Russia and China and if an individual with Iranian passport wants to enjoy banking services, he will be denied by both countries’ banks.
Speaking to ILNA, Majid Reza Hariri said that Iran’s current problem is not just the SWIFT issue but the issue is that no bank is ready to cooperate with Iran because of being suspect for money laundering regardless of the U.S. sanctions.
Recently Reuters reported that Chinese banks have been urged to leave SWIFT system’s messaging and to launch its own Chinese version due to the U.S. sanctions.
Hariri said that Iran’s problem for trade is not the SWIFT because no bank is ready to cooperate with Iran because of money laundering.
He said Iran is currently facing with two major problems in its banking system: the U.S. sanctions which risk any country cooperating with Iran and Iran’s rejection of joining the FATF which has created problem.
Hariri added that the FATF in recent weeks by writing to the world banking system has called Iran a risky country whose financial transactions should be highly controlled.
He admitted that today there is no banking transaction with Russia and China and even an individual with Iranian passport wants to get banking service in both countries, he is denied.
