Ambassador Ricciardone on Iran Sanctions

Kanal D - 32nd Day / May 12, 2011

Ambassador Ricciardone on Iran Sanctions

On May 12, Ambassador Ricciardone gave an exclusive interview to “32nd Day,” an influential Turkish political talk show hosted by anchorman Mehmet Ali Birand on leading prime-time channel Kanal D.  Regarding Iran sanctions he commented: “Turkey does abide by Iran sanctions. We, however, are looking for more effective and stricter sanctions…There are several Iranian banks which we think are extremely doubtful because we know that in the past, they have contributed to Iranian attempts to acquire nuclear material for nuclear weapons. Bank Mellat is one of them. UN sanctions have not specifically banned Bank Mellat, but named it as related in these efforts.  According to US laws, American banks will not engage in business with other banks doing business with Bank Mellat.  If a Turkish bank wants to do business with Bank Mellat, of course it is free to do so.  But American banks will not deal with that Turkish bank.  So a Turkish bank must make a choice:  Do you want to do business with Bank Mellat, or do you want to do business with American banks?  You choose. “