Tehran’s true terror face is now for all to see

On the one side Tehran is finding favour with the world court, and on the other it could be losing support of allies in Europe who can offer an economic lifeline to offset the losses caused by US sanctions. France has seized assets belonging to Iran’s intelligence services and two Iranian nationals in response to a plot to attack an exiled Iranian opposition group’s rally in June. The attack was foiled but investigations by the French government could lift the veil of secrecy and show Iran’s true face. France has been supportive of the plans to form a special purpose vehicle to facilitate trade with the regime when US sanctions hit in November. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has lauded the proposal and thanked Europe for taking a ‘big step’ to maintain business with his country. But the latest French move could put ties in jeopardy.

Iran is known to fund terrorism and was for long on the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental organisation that combats money laundering. In June 2016, the FATF removed Iran from the blacklist on conditions that it takes steps to end money-laundering and terrorist financing. Not much has been done in this regard. Khamenei thinks it is not essential for Iran to join conventions. Other hardline leaders believe that committing to the FATF is ‘religiously forbidden’ and such practices equal to ‘slavery and total surrender’ to the West. Iran fails to appreciate the merits of the globalised system, which has helped nations thrive. Even now, when there is an opportunity to reinvent itself, the regime wants deals on its terms. Instead adhering to the measures suggested by the FATF, Iran’s capital market regular is looking to build a new structure for domestic Islamic financing. Why is there such reluctance in complying with international norms and how far can Khamenei take the ‘resistance economy’? What about peace with its GCC neighbours? Europe is eager to help Iran, not because it believes that Tehran will change, but because it wants to counter Trump. Meanwhile, Iran’s mask is not sitting well on its visage. France has seen the real face of the terror regime and it won’t be long before Europe sees through the charade.