- News>
- World
Obama orders blocking of Iranian properties
Obama said he has determined that there are deficiencies in Iran`s anti-money laundering regime.
Washington: In a move bound to rattle Tehran,
US President Barack Obama on Monday issued an executive order
blocking property of the Iranian government and its financial
institutions in America.
In a communiqué to the US Congress, Obama said his administration feels additional sanctions are needed on Iran in light of the "deceptive practices" of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties. Obama said he has determined that there are deficiencies in Iran`s anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation and continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran`s activities.
As such Obama said he has signed an executive order that blocks the property and interest in property of the Government of Iran, the Central Bank of Iran and its other financial institutions.
"All property and interests in property of any Iranian financial institution, including the Central Bank of Iran, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in," the executive order says. US and its allies have accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
The West accuses Tehran of assembling the material and know-how to build a nuclear bomb, a charge denied by Iran which says its atomic programme is for peaceful use.
PTI
In a communiqué to the US Congress, Obama said his administration feels additional sanctions are needed on Iran in light of the "deceptive practices" of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties. Obama said he has determined that there are deficiencies in Iran`s anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation and continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran`s activities.
As such Obama said he has signed an executive order that blocks the property and interest in property of the Government of Iran, the Central Bank of Iran and its other financial institutions.
"All property and interests in property of any Iranian financial institution, including the Central Bank of Iran, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in," the executive order says. US and its allies have accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme.
The West accuses Tehran of assembling the material and know-how to build a nuclear bomb, a charge denied by Iran which says its atomic programme is for peaceful use.
PTI