The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into potential money laundering activities involving Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, with major Wall Street banks possibly implicated.
According to Bloomberg News on June 18, the Justice Department is closely examining whether U.S. financial institutions were involved in the movement of funds related to Khamenei's alleged money laundering and corruption.
The investigation is focusing on the possibility that large-scale financial transactions between companies effectively controlled by Khamenei utilized networks from major U.S. banks such as JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup.
Reports indicate that the inquiry includes not only Wall Street financial institutions but also some banks in Europe and the Middle East. Authorities aim to clarify the flow of funds while also assessing whether there were lapses in the customer due diligence processes of U.S. banks.
Additionally, the Justice Department is investigating indications that Khamenei's ghost companies purchased overseas real estate, including properties associated with Hilton Hotels.
According to foreign media, Khamenei is believed to have acquired five-star hotels and luxury residences across Europe through a shell company registered under financier Ali Ansari's name. This raises suspicions that Iran has established overseas financial networks to circumvent U.S. sanctions currently in place against the country.
Notably, this investigation is being conducted amid ongoing peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, as part of a financial strategy to exert pressure on Iran.
Analysts suggest that U.S. authorities may be attempting to leverage Khamenei's financial resources as a bargaining chip in negotiations. However, sources indicate that with the peace talks currently at a sensitive stage, this investigation has become a diplomatically delicate issue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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