AFP: The United States Friday welcomed action by an international anti-money laundering watchdog urging Iran to close loopholes in its financial system and take steps to limit terrorist financing. WASHINGTON (AFP) The United States Friday welcomed action by an international anti-money laundering watchdog urging Iran to close loopholes in its financial system and take steps to limit terrorist financing.
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said he was pleased with the statement earlier Friday by The Financial Action Task Force, which groups 34 countries, calling on the Islamic Republic to take action.
The Financial Action Task Force has taken a dramatic step in highlighting the significant threat Iran poses to the international financial system,” Paulson said in a statement.
“As the premier standard-setting body for countering terrorist financing and money laundering, the FATF’s expression of concern toward Iran speaks volumes.”
Paulson added, “In the wake of two unanimous UN Security Council Resolutions addressing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Iran’s extensive deceptive financial conduct, and the statements issued by the FATF, financial institutions should be mindful of the extraordinary risks that accompany doing business with Iran.”
The FATF said it was concerned Tehran lacks a system to thwart money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
“FATF calls upon Iran to address on an urgent basis its deficiencies,” the group said in a statement from Paris.
