(S) IRAN'S BANK MELLI - INVOLVEMENT IN

S E C R E T BERLIN 001486 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN, T, P, EUR, AND NEA E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/30/2017 TAGS: ETTC KNNP PARM PREL IR GM SUBJECT: (S) IRAN'S BANK MELLI - INVOLVEMENT IN PROLIFERATION TRANSFERS REF: A. STATE 104801 ¶B. BERLIN 1450 Classified By: Global Affairs Counselor Donald R. Shemanski for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (S) Global Affairs officer delivered ref A nonpaper and demarche July 31 to Finance Ministry Deputy Director General Rolf Wenzel and MFA Deputy Office Director for Nuclear Disarmament and Nonproliferation Thomas Goebel. Global Affairs officer also relayed ref A request for information on Bank Melli's proliferation activities that could be shared with China and Russia to facilitate P5 1 discussions. Both expressed appreciation for the information and undertook to pass the nonpaper to German policymakers and the German interagency working group. Goebel also noted that "French colleagues" are sharing information with Germany on Bank Melli's involvement in proliferation-related activities. ¶2. (S) Goebel said P5 1 unity is essential to convince Iran to suspend its enrichment activities. He stressed the importance of keeping China and Russia on board, particularly at such a critical moment. Although Iran seems to be cooperating with the IAEA, Goebel said, German officials suspect Iran's "openness" is simply a maneuver to buy time and chip away at P5 1 unity. Goebel stated work on a UNSC resolution must continue, adding the P5 1 should have a resolution ready to go by the end of August. ¶3. (U) Post will report any subsequent German response septel. TIMKEN JR