FATF STATEMENT AND GUIDANCE ON IRAN: OMANI RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L MUSCAT 000765 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, T, INL, INR, IST, EEB, S/CT E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/05/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL EFIN KNNP IR MU SUBJECT: FATF STATEMENT AND GUIDANCE ON IRAN: OMANI RESPONSE REF: STATE 115523 Classified By: DCM L. Victor Hurtado for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (C) Post delivered relevant reftel information to the government of Oman on November 3 via diplomatic note. On November 5, DCM met with Mohammed al-Hassan, Director of Political Affairs for Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi, and asked that Oman seriously consider taking preventive measures to address the specific risks posed by Iranian financial institutions. Al-Hassan had no substantive response, but promised to pass our request to Minister bin Alawi. He also noted that the amount of commerce between Oman and Iran was very small in comparison with some of its GCC neighbors, particularly the UAE, and stated that Oman was "firm" in upholding its commitments under international and bilateral agreements regarding financial matters. ¶2. (U) Post has requested appointments with officials from the Central Bank of Oman and the Ministry of National Economy to further disseminate reftel demarche. Responses by these officials will be reported septel. GRAPPO