Analysis by PMOI/MEK
Iran, Nov. 22, 2018 – As the Iranian regime’s internal disputes flare into crisis mode over remarks made recently by Iranian regime Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif over money laundering skyrocketing in recent weeks, Iranian regime President Hassan Rouhani also acknowledged this reality by saying such cases of money laundering has become common in Iran.
All the while, Sadegh Amoli Larijani, head of the regime’s so-called judiciary and a figure very close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, described such revelations as a “dagger in the heart” of the mullahs’ regime. The regime’s parliament, known as the Majlis, is weighing the possibility of impeaching Zarif, Larijani added.
In a recent cabinet meeting Rouhani, however, resorted to actually justifying Zarif’s remarks.
“… The whole world has money-laundering problems. Show me one country not having problems with money laundering… Yes, we have cases of bribery, unfortunately, but we should not get angry about it. Yes, in government institutions, there may be bribes in small corners here or there, which should be confronted, yet there should not be any harsh feelings about this subject… When there are drugs, there is also dirty money. When there is dirty money, where does it go? This means there are also cases of money laundering here and there,” he said.
As crises increase across the board for the Iranian regime over Zarif’s money laundering remarks, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) posted an exclusive report in its mouthpiece, the Fars news agency: “The judiciary has sent a letter to Zarif issuing a 10-day deadline for him to present evidence for his remarks.”
Furthermore, Iranian regime Deputy Foreign Minister Morteza Sarmadi confirmed the issue of money laundering in Iran.
“The numbers of smuggled goods, narcotics and fuel reaches around $10 to $15 billion. Most of this amount enters Iran’s financial system through money laundering,” he said.
Mahmoud Vaezi, Rouhani’s chief of staff, added his remarks on this subject, backing Zarif’s remarks.
“There is no wrongdoing in Zarif’s remarks and his position is completely correct. This issue is not limited to the foreign minister and it is the position of the government. It is unfortunate that despite Zarif’s correct remarks, there are those who are attacking him due to previous enmity,” he said.
Hamid Baeidinejad, the Iranian regime’s ambassador in London said, “State officials have precise information about the amount of money laundering taking place in the country.”
In the meantime, Hesamodin Ashna, Rouhani’s advisor and a former deputy intelligence minister, called for an end to this exchanging of remarks over money laundering inside the Iranian regime.
“It would be better to refrain from challenging the ‘[Khamenei faction] on this issue,” he said, in yet another indication of internal feuds becoming a major concern of the mullahs’ regime in its entirety.
