Iran was put on the blacklist of high-risk countries by the FATA – Financial Action Task Force – because the international group determined that the country lacked the means to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing. The blacklist has posed various problems for Iran who – following the implementation of the nuclear deal and lift of sanctions – wishes to make a swift and strong return to global markets and regain its position, only to be hindered by banks’ concerns for doing transactions between Iran and foreign companies.
On Friday, the 37-member group welcomed “Iran’s adoption of, high-level political commitment to, an Action Plan to address its strategic (anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing) deficiencies” and called for suspension of counter-measures for 12 months “in order to monitor Iran's progress in implementing the Action Plan."
The statement also added that if Iran improves its commitment to the Action Plan, the task force will consider further positive steps.
Getting Iran off the FATF blacklist will provide a good opportunity for the country to normalize its banking industry and convince the world’s major banks to facilitate transactions between Iranian and foreign companies.
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