JORDAN RESPONSE TO FATF STATEMENT ON IRAN AND U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 004464 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/ELA, EEB, T, AND ISN TREASURY FOR TFFC E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2017 TAGS: PREL EFIN PARM KNNP IR JO SUBJECT: JORDAN RESPONSE TO FATF STATEMENT ON IRAN AND U.S. DESIGNATION OF IRANIAN ENTITIES AND INDIVIDUALS REF: A. STATE 149648 ¶B. STATE 148605 Classified By: Ambassador David Hale for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) EconCouns discussed the mid-October Financial Action Task Force (FATF) statement on deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing regime and also delivered ref B demarche on U.S. domestic designation of Iranian entities and individuals to Acting Ministry of Finance Secretary General Ezz Eldeen Kanakria, Finance Ministry Director of Studies and Economic Policies Essa Saleh Yasein, and Finance Ministry Director of the Public Debt Department Sami Abdallah Toughoz on November 1. Kanakria welcomed the non-paper, said Jordan shared U.S. concerns about the threat Iran posed, and promised to review the information to determine whether there were additional measures the GOJ could take to further protect itself and limit Iranian misuse of the international financial system. ¶2. (C) In a separate meeting November 4, Central Bank Governor Umayya Toukan told EconCouns that Jordanian banks did not have any relationships with Iranian banks and had become increasingly cautious in vetting transactions because they did not want to have any problems with sister branches in the U.S. or the UK. He further welcomed FATF action, noting that increased awareness and vigilance were necessary for the security and integrity of the international financial system. With regard to the U.S. designation of Iranian entities and individuals, Toukan said Jordan would take any action that it could, but absent a UN Security Council resolution, could not freeze assets if any were identified. Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Hale