By Scott Morgan
Ever since the Revolution in 1979 the Islamic Republic of Iran has long sought to export its Revolution throughout the Middle East and to either expand its influence or reassert it in areas where the Persian Empire once had trade links or outright annexed.
The Balkans is just one area where they have had interest. During the collapse of the Former Yugoslavia into the group of nations now known as Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzgovina, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and even the enclave of Kosovo became the focal point of the world as the carnage ensued.
Iran was reported to have sent members of the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) as volunteers to assist the Muslim forces as they battled Serbian Forces for control of Bosnia. It is clear that this effort was not the first time that the Mullahs, in Tehran, would get involved in the Political tumult in the region or should we say find a way to exploit it.
It has been recently announced that the Government of Slovenia has launched an investigation into reports that Iran laundered 1 Billion Euros (1.7 Billion USD) through the largest state owned bank between 2008 and 2010. What were these funds used for?
The Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) has claimed that the Iranians used these funds to make purchases for their atomic and chemical programs. If this is proven it can be seen as evidence that the Islamic Republic found a route to circumvent the Sanctions that were imposed against the Country by both the European Union and the United States. Those who carried out these purchases were compensated for their work through these funds and to infiltrate their operatives into nuclear, security and defense installation,s in both Europe and the United States.
So why were the funds moved through Slovenia? It turns out that their previously used outlet in Switzerland was closed down and a new transit point was needed for the financial institution that was being used. That institution was the Iran Export Development Bank and they were using a group known as Farrok LTD.
The Slovenians ordered that this activity was shut down in December whereupon this operation was shifted to banks in Russia. This came six months after the Slovenian Government received a suspicious transaction report in relation to both money laundering and terrorist financing. At one point an estimated 40-50 transactions per day were being made by this front.
Why would it take seven years for this incident to reemerge? Part of it is internal politics within Slovenia as the opposition party seeks to gain power and rule. But other questions now arise such as did the US and other governments know that this pipeline of funds occurred? Another question that is even more concerning has to be What other operations did Iran have in the region during this period of time. Even more chilling has to be the question does Iran have anything going on in the region at this point of time?
The Balkans is just one area where they have had interest. During the collapse of the Former Yugoslavia into the group of nations now known as Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzgovina, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and even the enclave of Kosovo became the focal point of the world as the carnage ensued.
Iran was reported to have sent members of the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) as volunteers to assist the Muslim forces as they battled Serbian Forces for control of Bosnia. It is clear that this effort was not the first time that the Mullahs, in Tehran, would get involved in the Political tumult in the region or should we say find a way to exploit it.
It has been recently announced that the Government of Slovenia has launched an investigation into reports that Iran laundered 1 Billion Euros (1.7 Billion USD) through the largest state owned bank between 2008 and 2010. What were these funds used for?
The Slovenian Democratic Party (SDS) has claimed that the Iranians used these funds to make purchases for their atomic and chemical programs. If this is proven it can be seen as evidence that the Islamic Republic found a route to circumvent the Sanctions that were imposed against the Country by both the European Union and the United States. Those who carried out these purchases were compensated for their work through these funds and to infiltrate their operatives into nuclear, security and defense installation,s in both Europe and the United States.
This pipeline to move funds could explain how certain Think Tanks in Europe and the United States started calling for sanctions relief and to carry the narrative along to actually support the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) regarding the Iranian Nuclear Program.
So why were the funds moved through Slovenia? It turns out that their previously used outlet in Switzerland was closed down and a new transit point was needed for the financial institution that was being used. That institution was the Iran Export Development Bank and they were using a group known as Farrok LTD.
The Slovenians ordered that this activity was shut down in December whereupon this operation was shifted to banks in Russia. This came six months after the Slovenian Government received a suspicious transaction report in relation to both money laundering and terrorist financing. At one point an estimated 40-50 transactions per day were being made by this front.
Why would it take seven years for this incident to reemerge? Part of it is internal politics within Slovenia as the opposition party seeks to gain power and rule. But other questions now arise such as did the US and other governments know that this pipeline of funds occurred? Another question that is even more concerning has to be What other operations did Iran have in the region during this period of time. Even more chilling has to be the question does Iran have anything going on in the region at this point of time?
(Image[Ed]: Money Laundering - Google Images)
