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.

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