The Department of Justice is investigating the relationship of the Iranian Supreme Leader with American banks
The US Department of Justice is reportedly investigating Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei as part of a broader investigation into allegations of money laundering and corruption.The investigation is examining how Khamenei built a global investment portfolio with exposure to major Wall Street banks, according to officials familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg.
The report said that investigators are examining transactions related to companies supervised by Khamenei and are reviewing whether American financial institutions played any role in facilitating those transactions.According to Bloomberg, the banks under review include JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup.The investigation does not necessarily mean that criminal charges will be brought, but Khamenei remains the main focus of the investigation.Khamenei became Iran’s supreme leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a US-Israeli air strike. As the country’s highest authority, he has the final say on major state affairs, including foreign policy and Iran’s nuclear program.Meanwhile, rumors spread about Mojtaba’s condition following the February 28 strikes that killed his father, Ali Khamenei, who was the supreme leader at the time.Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he “believes” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is alive and is “increasingly involved” in leadership affairs.