AJC Welcomes SWIFT Ban on Iranian Financial Transactions

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Mar 15, 2012, 01:36 ET

NEW YORK, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomed the SWIFT announcement today that it will cease global financial transactions for all Iranian banks subject to EU sanctions, effective March 17.

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"SWIFT closes a critical loophole in sanctions against Iran," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Crippling Iran's financial sector, which will impact on its oil exports, is essential to pressing Iran to stop its nuclear weapons program."

SWIFT, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication, is a global financial communication and clearing system connecting more than 10,000 financial institutions and corporations in 210 countries. The organization, headquartered in Belgium, was compelled to act against Iranian financial institutions sanctioned by the European Union.

"Disconnecting banks is an extraordinary and unprecedented step for SWIFT," said Lazaro Campos, CEO of SWIFT. "It is a direct result of international and multilateral action to intensify financial sanctions against Iran."

Kenneth Bandler [email protected]

SOURCE American Jewish Committee