April 2007

Iran banks rebuff US charges

Are Iranian banks based in London an unwitting victim of political tensions in the Gulf, as US authorities try to limit their access to international finance?


"Our operations are mainly in Europe, so we have been experiencing a certain level of difficulty. However, there has been no great material impact on our business yet" Ahmad Azizi, Melli Bank

America’s allegations

Accusations of funding terrorism and missile development have been denied and the British Bankers’ Association fears Iranian banks in London are becoming victims of US foreign policy as other banks curtail services. Lawrence White reports.

THE INTRICATE BATTLE of words, wits and wills between the US Treasury and Iranian banks has stepped up a gear. The UK subsidiaries of the Iranian banks whose business is being disrupted by pressure from the US Treasury have begun to defend themselves, just as the UN Security Council announced official sanctions that specifically accuse one of the four state banks in question, Bank Sepah, of financing Tehran’s missile programme.

Initially, Melli Bank, Bank Saderat, Bank...


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