Pompeo Criticizes Visit by Iranian Banker with History of Terrorism Support and Scandal

Press Release

Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) released the following statement today as the Governor of Iran's Central Bank, Valiollah Seif, visits Washington, D.C. to speak at the Council on Foreign Relations. Seif also met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew.

"As the Governor of the Central Bank of Iran visits our nation's capital, I am very concerned about his intentions. Given Iran's trouble in attracting foreign investment due to its continued support of terrorism along with a toxic business environment, Valiollah Seif is most certainly attempting to reassure businesses contemplating working with the regime. However, governments and companies must not forget that primary U.S. sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran remain on the books and the U.S. Treasury Department still considers the entire Iranian economy a "jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern.'

"In addition to encouraging companies to invest in a dangerous and unstable economy, Seif may also be:

Explaining what happened to the 21 billion rials he was accused of embezzling while Managing Director at Bank Sepah. In 2000, a former Iranian Member of Parliament exposed the missing funds, describing the theft as "the biggest in Iran's banking history.' Iranian state-run news reported on the enormous scope of the pilfering, though Seif tried to brush aside the accusations.
Arguing why the Central Bank of Iran should win its appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court and not be required to pay victims of Iranian terrorism almost $2 billion out of the Bank's assets that are already seized.
Rationalizing his leadership role at Iran's Bank Sepah, which the U.S. Treasury described in 2007 as an institution that "has actively assisted Iran's pursuit of missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction.'
Providing context for the "Gold Medal' he received from Iran's notorious former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2011.

"While Seif has been allowed to freely visit the U.S., the Iranian regime continues to block my visa for travel to Iran. I submitted my visa application, along with Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.) and Congressman Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), in February. It has been met with Iranian silence, despite multiple inquiries on my part, including a letter to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif. Why the Obama administration is allowing Sief, chief banker for the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, to come to the U.S. on a publicity tour is perplexing--especially while Iran refuses to apply the same courtesy to American lawmakers."

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