The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a measure Thursday that would give lawmakers a say in a potential sanctions-related accord with Iran.
Lawmakers should press ahead with Iran sanctions bills despite pressure to put off new restrictions while American and Iranian officials hold nuclear talks, according to David Ibsen, executive director of United Against Nuclear Iran.
Foreign financial institutions and other non-U.S. companies newly tasked with disclosing when their affiliates deal with Iranian government officials are finding the requirements onerous, according to compliance officers and consultants.
The government of Iran and banks under its influence are increasingly using investments in foreign financial institutions as a means to circumvent sanctions, including restrictions on interbank messages, say sources.
After a busy year for federal sanctions officials, large banks with international footprints are increasingly instituting deeper, standalone audits of their related policies and procedures, say compliance officers and consultants.
The United States exempted seven nations Monday from sanctions against Iran signed into law in December after the jurisdictions curbed their purchases of oil from the Persian country.
The Senate's banking committee Thursday approved sanctions aimed at Iranian officials, including provisions asking the world's largest interbank messaging consortium to shut out Iran's central bank.
The authors of a U.S. embargo against Iran's central bank and petroleum industry called on the White House Thursday to be strict with foreign financial institutions under the law's statutes.
U.S. senators Monday approved a reconciled defense appropriations bill that would sanction Iran's central bank, making only a single nod to White House concerns that the bill would displease trade partners.
The U.S. Treasury Department finalized regulations Wednesday requiring banks to ask their correspondent financial institutions about accounts tied to Iran when requested to do so by U.S. officials.