Iran decides not to transport 300 million euros in cash from Germany
Authorities in Tehran changed their mind about withdrawing 300 million euros in cash from a German bank account and transporting it by aircraft back to Iran. As reported on Tuesday, September 4th, by the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the European-Iranian Trade Bank told the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the German government about its change of plans.
The US insisted on the cancellation of the operation, accusing Tehran of intending to use these funds for terrorist activities in the Middle East.
Earlier, the Iranian state-owned European-Iranian Trade Bank asked to transport the money to Iran, because of sanctions the funds could not be transferred electronically. Initially, the German side did not intend to impede the transfer. However, on August 25th the Federal Bank changed the commercial terms for this transaction. Now, in order to receive such a large amount of funds, a justification for the withdrawal is necessary, such as proof that the funds would not be used to finance terrorist activities. If these explanations prove to be unconvincing, the money transfer can be halted.
In July, the German newspaper Bild wrote that the Iranian authorities asked for the withdrawal of such a large sum by explaining that the money is needed by Iranian citizens who, because of American sanctions have lost the ability to use credit cards during trips to foreign countries. At the same time, American and Israeli special services expressed fears that the money can be used to finance the Iranian military, who are fighting in Syria in support of Bashar Assad.