INFORMATION ON IRANIAN FINANCIAL TRANSFERS ROUTED

S E C R E T STATE 129815

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2017
TAGS: KNNP MNUC IR BA GM
SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON IRANIAN FINANCIAL TRANSFERS ROUTED
THROUGH DRESDNER BANK

REF: EUP20070822085001

Classified By: EUR/AGS OD Patrick Moon for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 3.

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SUMMARY
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2. (S) In August 2007, Dresdner Bank decided to wind down
its business with Iranian private and corporate customers,
including state-run companies. This follows decisions by
Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank to curtail their business with
Iranian customers. Washington commends Dresdner Bank,
Commerzbank, and Deutsche Bank for their decisions. In the
interest of winding up any financial transactions of concern,
Washington would like to share information with Germany about
Mohammad Javad Jafari. The U.S. has information that Jafari,
who is involved in the Iranian ballistic missile program,
used Dresdner Bank in Germany to transfer funds. We want to
ensure that Dresdner Bank ends its business relationship with
Jafari as it ceases its relationships with its other Iranian
clients. Furthermore, we need to ensure that Dresdner Bank
ends its relationship with Jafari immediately (as opposed to
winding down as pre-existing contracts run out) due to his
involvement with Iran's ballistic missile program and the
possibility that his transactions might be in violation of
applicable UN Security Council resolutions.

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OBJECTIVES/ACTION REQUEST
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3. (S) Washington requests Post deliver the talking points
and non-paper in paragraph 4 to appropriate host government
officials in the foreign affairs and financial ministries.

-- (S) To indicate appreciation for Germany's effective
implementation of UNSCRs 1737 and 1747, and to welcome the
recent movement of its private banks to wind down
Iran-related activity.

-- (S) To provide host government officials information on
Mohammad Javad Jafari's financial activities at Dresdner Bank
and seek confirmation that Dresdner Bank's termination of its
Iranian business will include any transactions relating to
Jafari.

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BACKGROUND AND NONPAPER
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4. BEGIN SECRET/REL GERMANY NON-PAPER:

-- The U.S. commends Dresdner Bank, Commerzbank, and
Deutsche Bank for ending their relationships with Iran.
These steps demonstrate that banks and firms are beginning to
see the serious business risks that are inherent in working
with Iran.

-- It is in this context and in the spirit of our shared
commitment to combating WMD and missile proliferation that we
would like to alert German authorities to possible
proliferation-related activities involving Dresdner Bank.

-- The U.S. has information that Mohammad Javad Jafari, who
is involved in Iran's ballistic missile program, has been
routing payments through Dresdner Bank since early July.
These payments associated with Iran's missile program were
routed through Bank Sepah, Tehran.

-- The involvement of Bank Sepah and entities known to be
associated with Iran's missile program suggests these
transactions are proliferation-related.

-- We would like to confirm that Dresdner's decision to end
its business relationship with Iran will include closing
Jafari's accounts and ending his ability to use Dresdner Bank
for transactions on behalf of Iran's ballistic missile
program.

-- We recognize that the actions taken by Dresdner Bank in
August may already cover Jafari's activities, but we wanted
to share this information with you to ensure that his
activities are covered by Dresdner Bank's decision.

-- The U.S. greatly appreciates the steps that Deutsche Bank
and Dresdner Bank have taken to end their financial
relationships with Iran and look forward to hearing from you
on this and future nonproliferation matters.

END SECRET/REL GERMANY NON-PAPER.

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REPORTING DEADLINE
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5. (U) Post should report results within seven (7) business
days of receipt of this cable. Please slug replies for ISN,
T, TREASURY, EUR, and NEA. Please include SIPDIS in all
replies.

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POINT OF CONTACT
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6. (U) Washington point of contact for follow-up
information is Kevin McGeehan, ISN/CPI, (202) 647-5408,
McGeehanKJ@state.sgov.gov.


7. (U) Department thanks Post for its assistance.
RICE