Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has dismissed the central bank governor, Abdolnaser Hemmati, who said he accepted the decision that he must step aside at the bank in order to stand for president.
Iranian officials are cracking down on the use of cryptocurrencies in the country again, with crypto exchanges becoming the latest target of official efforts to control the burgeoning industry.
Tehran, Iran – Iranian officials are cracking down on the use of cryptocurrencies in the country again, with crypto exchanges becoming the latest target of official efforts to control the burgeoning industry.
The current hawkish stance comes in the wake of bitcoin’s meteoric price rise since mid-December, feeding a growing appetite in Iran for crypto assets after the country’s stock bubble burst last summer.
Enthusiasts see bitcoin as a hedge against devaluations of Iran’s currency, the rial, and as a way to circumnavigate United States sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy because bitcoin is not controlled by any government.
Iran’s top banker threatens legal action against South Korea Wednesday, 24 February 2021 12:32 PM
[ Last Update: Wednesday, 24 February 2021 8:40 PM ] Iran s Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati talks to reporters after a cabinet session in Tehran, Feb. 24, 2021. (Photo by Tasnim)
Iran’s Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati says the country reserves the right to take legal action against the freeze of its funds in South Korea.
His remarks on Wednesday came after South Korean officials cast doubt on reports that Seoul had agreed to release about $1 billion of Iranian assets held by its banks.
“The resources belong to the Central Bank of Iran and the Central Bank has the right to take legal action. The Islamic Republic has suffered a lot in this regard,” Hemmati told reporters in Tehran after a cabinet meeting.
Korea refutes Iran s announcement of assets transfer
Posted : 2021-02-23 16:48
Updated : 2021-02-23 23:31
Korean Ambassador to Iran Ryu Jeong-hyun, right, has talks with Abdolnasser Hemmati, center, the governor of the Central Bank of Iran, over how to transfer and use part of the Iranian assets in Korean banks. Captured from Iranian Government website
By Kang Seung-woo
Korea denied Tuesday claims made by Iran the previous day that Seoul had agreed to unfreeze and transfer to Tehran the assets it has at Korean banks. Diplomatic observers say Iran s announcement was made to pressure Korea to urge the U.S. to lift its sanctions on the country.