TEHRAN (Iran News) In a formal letter addressed to Eliza de Anda Madrazo, the President of FATF, Hadi Khani — Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and Head of Iran’s Financial Intelligence Center — called for immediate action to suspend the membership of both the U.S. and Israel.

Khani argued that unilateral military actions that violate the territorial integrity of other nations not only pose political and security threats but also undermine the stability of the global financial system. He claimed such actions disrupt multilateral cooperation and weaken transparency, financial integrity, and trust — all of which directly conflict with FATF’s mission and technical goals.

The letter also highlighted what Iran views as unlawful attacks by the U.S. and Israel on nuclear facilities, medical centers, and the targeted assassination of scientists and civilians. Khani referenced several international legal instruments, including Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, the 1970 UN General Assembly Resolution 2625 (Declaration on Principles of International Law), and IAEA resolutions GC(XXIX)/RES/444 and GC(XXXIV)/RES/533, asserting that such conduct violates core principles of international peace and financial system integrity.

Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to engagement with international institutions within the framework of national interests, Khani referred to UN fact-finding reports and the findings of a UN special rapporteur regarding recent attacks on Iranian territory. He urged FATF leadership to demonstrate impartiality and credibility by launching a documented, non-political review process aimed at suspending the U.S. and Israel from membership.

Khani concluded that such a step is essential for protecting FATF’s professional credibility and upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination within international institutions.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Hadi Khani, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, told reporters on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic’s presence at the EAG summit is of significant strategic importance.

“This meeting is critical for Iran, as it provides a platform to share knowledge and collaborate with other countries. Most importantly, it offers us the opportunity to showcase our efforts in combating money laundering and terrorist financing,” Khani said.

Khani, who also serves as Secretary of the Supreme Council for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, noted that presenting Iran’s actions at such forums helps boost the country’s reputation and lowers its risk profile in the eyes of the international community.

He explained that Iran, as an observer member of EAG, has previously used this regional forum to highlight its progress. At the current summit hosted in Moscow, Iran has brought representatives from key sectors — including the Economic Security Police and the banking system — to further present its initiatives.

Khani stated that reporting on Iran’s actions began on Monday, May 26, the opening day of the summit. He added that the main session, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, will include comprehensive reports on Iran’s anti-money laundering efforts and associated decisions.

On the sidelines of the summit, the Iranian delegation is also scheduled to meet with heads of anti-money laundering departments from BRICS member states.

Additionally, Khani mentioned that a working group — proposed by Iran — focused on anti-money laundering and narcotics-related issues among Caspian Sea littoral states has been established and will also convene during the summit.

According to Khani, Iran achieved a milestone at the previous EAG meeting in India, where a resolution was passed to support the country’s removal from the FATF’s high-risk and non-cooperative jurisdictions list.

This topic, he said, was again raised in a meeting on Sunday with EAG leadership ahead of the main sessions in Moscow.

Khani expressed optimism, citing the recent approval of the Palermo Convention by Iran’s Expediency Council and ongoing discussions regarding the ratification of the CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) Convention.

“This progress has created renewed hope and motivation both within the EAG Secretariat and among member states to assist Iran in overcoming the FATF-related challenges and resuming normal engagement,” he said.

Khani emphasized the importance of networking with countries that are both EAG and FATF members to mitigate the effects of FATF’s countermeasures — restrictions that currently impact Iranian nationals’ financial transactions abroad.

“We aim to leverage the expertise and support of countries like India, Turkey, China, and observer states such as Japan, to accelerate the normalization of Iran’s status within FATF,” he stated.

The 42nd EAG Plenary began on Monday in Moscow with Iran participating as an observer member. More than 200 delegates from over 15 countries across Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia, along with representatives from more than 20 international organizations, are attending.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) His comments come ahead of a landmark visit by managers from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID, also referred to as OFIT in Persian sources), who are scheduled to arrive in Iran later this month — marking the first visit of its kind in 18 years. Salimi emphasized the significance of this visit, describing it as a potential gateway for Iran to access low-interest international loans and attract foreign investors.

Due to international sanctions and its exclusion from FATF, Iran remains cut off from the global banking system, limiting both the government’s and private sector’s ability to secure international loans. Salimi pointed out that other countries, such as Turkey, have benefited immensely from international credit access, supporting annual financial flows of $300 to $400 billion.

Iran’s private sector is particularly affected, being unable to obtain large-scale funding either from international institutions or domestic banks. “The arrival of OFID managers could pave the way for external investment and facilitate Iran’s entry into the international financial network,” Salimi said. “Foreign investors could also act as intermediaries in attracting loans for financing domestic development projects.”

When asked whether this development is connected to the ongoing indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, Salimi confirmed the link. “International institutions will not lend to Iran while it remains under sanctions. We need to pass FATF legislation and reconnect with the international banking system,” he said.

The FATF, a Paris-based intergovernmental body, sets global standards to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Iran’s membership has been stalled for years due to internal political resistance. Two key FATF-related treaties — the Palermo Convention and the CFT (Combating the Financing of Terrorism) — are still awaiting approval by Iran’s Expediency Council.

Salimi warned that without resolving the FATF issue, Iran will continue to face high costs in securing foreign capital and conducting international trade. He noted that of the countries refusing FATF membership, only Iran and North Korea remain fully excluded, further isolating Tehran in the global financial system.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In an interview with Iran Chamber Online, Mousa Aghaei, the chairman of the Iran-Uzbekistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the importance of technical and engineering services exports as a major advantage for the private sector. He stated that, considering Uzbekistan’s 2030 strategy, this advantage should be leveraged.

Aghaei added that Uzbekistan’s strategy places significant emphasis on improving infrastructure, especially in construction and road-building sectors, as well as the renovation of buildings.

He also noted the upcoming Uzbekistan Construction Industry Exhibition in March, revealing that the Joint Chamber would send a trade delegation to Tashkent from March 5 to 9, coinciding with the exhibition. The delegation will consist of key figures from the construction sector.

Aghaei mentioned that companies from various Iranian provinces including Tehran, Isfahan, Alborz, Gilan, and Mazandaran would participate in the delegation. Planned activities include B2B meetings, visits to key construction-related sectors in Uzbekistan, and meetings with members of the Uzbekistan Construction Union.

He emphasized that major cities like Tashkent, Samarkand, and others in Uzbekistan are developing new residential neighborhoods, presenting an excellent opportunity for Iran to leverage its technical and engineering services in boosting bilateral trade relations.

Acknowledging the strong presence of countries like Russia, China, and South Korea in Uzbekistan, Aghaei stressed the need for Iran to keep up with its competitors. He pointed out that Iran faces numerous challenges in foreign trade.

Despite the strong interest from the people and government of Uzbekistan in collaborating with Iranian businesses, Aghaei noted that trade between the two countries, amounting to $500 million, is not satisfactory. He highlighted that FATF restrictions, transportation issues, and high tariffs are the key barriers hindering deeper cooperation.

The chairman also pointed to Iran’s advantages in sectors such as technical and engineering services, construction materials, industrial products, agricultural equipment, and knowledge-based products for trade with Uzbekistan. He shared that a recent meeting with the Uzbek Ambassador to Iran explored the prospects of Iran entering Uzbekistan’s knowledge-based market, which was met with great enthusiasm.

Additionally, Aghaei announced the establishment of a permanent sales office for Iranian food industry products in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This initiative, a collaboration between the Mazandaran Chamber of Commerce and the Joint Chamber, is expected to significantly enhance the level of cooperation between the two countries.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Hariri emphasized that U.S. policies are designed to increase pressure on Iran. However, he pointed out that, so far, these pressures have been mostly theoretical rather than practical. He noted that Iran’s strategies for circumventing sanctions and selling oil to China remain crucial in determining the real impact of the restrictions.

According to Hariri, signals from former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a greater willingness to negotiate with Iran rather than simply applying pressure. However, he acknowledged that both pressure and negotiation serve as tools for both countries. He suggested that the U.S.-China tariff conflict might push China to be less stringent regarding U.S. sanctions on Iran, particularly concerning oil exports.

Since 2018, the method of transporting Iranian oil to China has changed. Previously, large Chinese refineries were Iran’s primary customers, but after 2018, smaller refineries took over this role. The ongoing tariff dispute could, therefore, prevent further tightening of sanctions on Iranian oil exports to China.

Hariri discussed the possibility of negotiations between Iran and the U.S., stating that neither side has historically rejected sitting at the negotiation table. However, he noted that the U.S. has a poor track record of honoring agreements, while Iran has never unilaterally withdrawn from a deal. He also pointed out that Trump’s unpredictable behavior complicates the negotiation process. Moreover, Iran and the U.S. perceive negotiations differently: Iran insists on negotiations based on dignity and national interest, while the U.S. prefers to pressure Iran into a weaker position before engaging in talks.

Addressing the influence of Trump’s presidency on the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), Hariri dismissed the idea that BRICS was significantly affected by Trump. He pointed out that BRICS was established long before Trump entered politics and will continue beyond his tenure. While Trump has vowed to prevent the weakening of the U.S. dollar, Hariri argued that BRICS members have not formally pursued a unified currency. He suggested that any serious steps toward a BRICS currency would not materialize before 2030, by which time Trump would no longer be a political figure of significance.

Discussing Iran’s banking system, Hariri argued that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is not the primary challenge for Iran’s banking relations with the world. He stated that while FATF compliance is a necessary condition for integration into the global banking system, it is not a sufficient condition. The real issue, he claimed, is the impact of economic sanctions, which prevent Iranian banks from participating in international transactions regardless of FATF status.

Even if Iran were to comply fully with FATF regulations, Hariri maintained that the global banking system would still be reluctant to engage with Iranian banks due to sanctions. Moreover, even in a sanction-free scenario, structural weaknesses in Iran’s banking system—including inadequate capital adequacy ratios, problematic balance sheets, and inefficient management—would deter foreign banks from partnering with Iranian institutions.

Hariri explained that FATF is an international financial watchdog that provides recommendations rather than mandates. Although FATF does not explicitly prohibit banks from working with Iran, it advises institutions to apply strict scrutiny when dealing with Iranian transactions. The fact that Iran has not signed agreements such as the Palermo Convention and the Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) treaty has led global banks to take FATF’s recommendations seriously, making it more difficult for Iran to engage in global financial markets.

While the U.S.-China tariff war could offer Iran some relief in trade with China, deeper structural issues continue to hinder Iran’s banking sector. Hariri’s insights suggest that while FATF compliance may be necessary for international banking integration, sanctions and internal financial weaknesses are the primary barriers preventing Iran from engaging effectively with the global financial system.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to the chamber’s public relations office, Najafi-Manesh emphasized that FATF is an international body with nearly universal membership, except for a few nations. He noted that the organization and its regulatory framework are widely recognized as legitimate and essential for global financial transactions.

Iran’s failure to join FATF has left it on the organization’s blacklist, which has severely impacted its trade and financial exchanges. According to Najafi-Manesh, despite Iran’s membership in organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, other member states expect Iran to comply with FATF regulations to facilitate smoother trade relations.

“As an example, establishing clear and efficient banking relations with China remains a challenge, largely due to FATF-related restrictions. Without joining FATF, even trade with friendly nations will become increasingly difficult, causing Iran to lose out on key economic opportunities,” he explained.

Addressing arguments that Iran could bypass FATF by relying on alternative trade mechanisms, such as barter agreements, Najafi-Manesh dismissed this as unrealistic. He pointed out that these workarounds significantly increase transaction costs—sometimes by 5% to 15%—which translates into billions of dollars in additional expenses for Iran’s economy.

“With an annual financial turnover of around $100 billion, why should we unnecessarily incur an extra $15 billion in costs? Every dollar counts in the current economic climate,” he stated.

Najafi-Manesh also stressed that Iran’s non-compliance with FATF has eroded international trust, discouraging many foreign companies from engaging in business with the country. He argued that by joining FATF, Iran could access global markets with better pricing and product quality, boosting economic efficiency.

He concluded by asserting that, like many private-sector leaders, he believes Iran’s accession to FATF is a necessity. “If we do not align with international regulations, we will not only face additional costs but also lose out on the benefits of global trade. Furthermore, failing to join FATF damages Iran’s global reputation, making it imperative to resolve this issue as soon as possible.”

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Following a letter of protest by Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ehsan Khandouzi, the president of FATF announced the reforms and changes in its standards related to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 to all member countries and the global network of fight against money laundering.

FATF Recommendation 7 is about targeted sanctions related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which requires countries to take the stated measures, such as confiscation of funds and assets of designated persons, without delay, in line with the resolutions of United Nations Security Council.

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Speaking at his press conference, Ehsan Khandozi said that the total income of the government in the first nine months of the Iranian year was 917 thousand billion tomans, of which 88% was the figure approved by the budget. “This number has increased by 63% compared to last year.”

Government data showed earlier that Iran’s income from the export of oil and oil products rose by 11 times last year which ended in March and eight times in the five months of this year.

Khandouzi went on to say that the issue of investment and its amount have been addressed and solved in the current administration.

Delivering his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Khandouzi told reporters that the lowering of investment was considered one of the significant variables that hindered the growth of production in the country.

He said: “In the past few years, we experienced many ebbs and flows, but due to the former administration’s performance, we had a decrease in investment and even in some years with a decrease in the capital amount in the country.”

He said that during the first six months of the Iranian year 1400 and even in the autumn of the next year, when the new administration kicked off its work, the country was coping with the challenge, but within the first six months of the current year the country witnessed a 3.9% investment rate.

The Economic Spokesman of the government also touched upon Iran’s joining the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF): “This will be decided by Iranian senior officials and authorities.”

In response to a question about the consequences of publishing news about Iran joining FATF, which was immediately denied, Khandouzi said: “Ask the consequences of publishing that news from those who published it, not us. We neither published news nor wanted to do.”

He added: “It was quoted from one of the members of the Financial Intelligence Center (FIC), which was not the right thing to do.”

Khandouzi pointed out that the Ministry of Economy, together with other relevant bodies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should review Iran’s joining the FATF.”

“The Ministry of Economy has not yet announced any opinion on the matter, and we will present our proposals after reviewing them, and the decision to join or not to join FATF, will be announced by senior officials and bodies in the Islamic Republic,” the economic spokesman of the government went on to say.

Khandouzi also mentioned the problem of border trade in the press conference and said: “A new bill has been drafted in this regard, in which border dwellers and cross-border porters can import a certain amount of goods and the tax that will be charged from them will be spent in their own provinces.”

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Speaking to ILNA, Sharif Nezam Mafi said that if Iran reaches agreement on its nuclear program, the JCPOA, it will expect an economic boom ahead otherwise without it and joining the FATF, he cannot predict a bright future for the national economy for the next years.

He said through the JCPOA, the economic enterprises and especially the private sector can create jobs and expand investment and Iran’s economy can return to its good economic growth like in the post-JCPOA era.

On the outlook of Iran’s trade with Europe, he added that all traders, economic enterprises and producers are watching carefully the developments on the FATF and the JCPOA and any success will lead to economic boom.

Nezam Mafi went on to say that lifting sanctions of Mammut Industrial Group was an important event which has gone unnoticed in the media, adding that it indicated that those who work professionally in the private sector can be a barricade against the sanctions and the government can trust the private sector.

He reiterated that Iran’s economy should be strong enough to resist against and international developments, adding that some Republican candidate likely worse than Donald Trump may win in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election and takes a tougher stand against Iran and a strong economy can stand against it.

Nezam Sharif added that Iran’s economy and especially the private sector’s with the world should be in a way that continuation of the ties would be to the benefit of the involved companies. He reiterated all countries move in direction of their own national interests.

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