DOJ probes JPMorgan, Citigroup over Iran Supreme Leader Khameneis money flows: report
The Department of Justice is reportedly looking into JPMorgan and Citigroup as part of an investigation into Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s trail of money flows through the US.Amid a broader effort to crack down on money laundering and corruption, officials have launched a probe into how Khamenei has managed to build up a massive investment portfolio with exposure to Wall Street banks, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous officials.Investigators are examining large money movements between firms overseen by Khamenei — and whether US financial institutions, including JPMorgan and Citi, helped facilitate those transactions, according to the report.The DOJ and Citi declined to comment.JPMorgan did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.Along with US banks, European and Middle Eastern lenders are reportedly facing scrutiny in the probe.
Global brands that received payments from the network, like Hilton Worldwide Holdings, are too.That’s because the Iranian leader’s network — which includes everything from Persian Gulf shipping to British luxury property — has routed its funds through banks in the UK, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the United Arab Emirates, Bloomberg reported.It’s possible that the investigation will not result in any charges.The DOJ’s main goal is to find any gaps in the US banking system that could be allowing Khamenei’s money to flow through the country, according to the report.Khamenei was named the supreme leader in June, after his father was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes early in the war with Iran.
The new ruler was reportedly severely injured in the strikes and has not been seen in public since taking office.The Justice Department has warned that Iran is actively trying to break its way into the US financial system.“The efforts collectively of the government over the last 10 years have really driven Iran out of legitimate financial institutions,” Molly Moeser, who runs the DOJ’s money laun...