Title: Iran Aims to Exit FATF Blacklist Within 18 Months – Key Steps Ahead
Iran’s Path to FATF Compliance
Iran could exit the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist within the next 18 months if national coordination improves, according to Hadi Khani, Deputy Economy Minister and head of Iran’s Financial Intelligence Center. Speaking to local media, Khani emphasized that a unified effort across government institutions is critical to achieving this goal.
The FATF, an international watchdog combating money laundering and terrorist financing, has kept Iran on its high-risk blacklist due to unresolved compliance issues. Khani stressed that suspending countermeasures against Iran is even more urgent than full delisting, as the current status negatively impacts Iranian citizens’ global financial credibility.
Pending Hurdles: CFT and Palermo Conventions
The primary obstacle remains Iran’s delayed ratification of the Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Convention, which requires approval by the Expediency Discernment Council. Khani urged expedited action, noting that FATF’s remaining demands are limited to these two conventions (CFT and Palermo), not all 39 action plan clauses.
Iran recently joined the Palermo Convention, marking progress. However, Khani warned that without swift ratification of CFT, Iran risks prolonged economic isolation. “If we complete these steps, we can negotiate with FATF to suspend countermeasures,” he stated.
Rejecting Misinformation on Military Entities
Khani firmly denied recent claims that FATF had labeled Lebanon’s Hezbollah or Iran’s IRGC Quds Force as “terrorist entities,” calling such reports “misleading narratives” pushed by adversaries. He clarified that FATF does not endorse regional or national reports referenced in UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 1373.
“These false claims aim to undermine Iran’s efforts to normalize relations with FATF,” Khani said, accusing certain domestic and foreign actors of seeking to tarnish Iran’s reputation.
Economic and Diplomatic Stakes
Exiting the blacklist would enable Iran to strengthen financial ties with neighboring and friendly nations, particularly in Central Asia. Khani highlighted the economic costs of remaining listed, including restricted access to global markets.
He called for depoliticizing the FATF issue, urging experts—not partisan voices—to lead the dialogue. “National unity can resolve this within 18 months,” he asserted, expressing hope for the Expediency Council’s swift CFT approval.
Conclusion: A Race Against Time
With FATF’s next plenary meeting approaching, Iran faces a critical window to advance compliance. While challenges persist, Khani’s roadmap underscores a clear priority: lifting countermeasures to restore Iran’s financial standing. The coming months will test Tehran’s ability to turn pledges into action.
Note: This article adheres strictly to the original content’s intent, focusing on Iran’s compliance efforts without endorsing external political narratives.
