Tehran, 18 Jan. (AKI) - The Iranian government is considering transferring state funds deposited in European banks to financial institutions in Asia, in particular South East Asia, according to Iranian website Rooz-on-line. It quotes sources close to the government saying the move follows the decision by the EU negotiating team (France Britain and Germany) to press the UN's atomic watchdog refer Iran's nuclear case to the Security Council. | Getting the money out before it can be frozen or seized. Plus, the banks that stand to lose those funds will put pressure on their governments. |
The main bank account of the Iranian embassy in Italy, at the Banca Nazionale del Lavoro in Rome, was frozen in November 2005 by the Rome prosecutors office on the request of a US court. The decision was fiercely criticised by the Iranian government. In a recent interview with the Italian state broadcaster, RAI, deputy foreign minister Saiid Jalili, said "this decision will weigh on the economic and trade ties between our two countries". "If your country does not resolve the situation, it will lose economic credibility" he added. Since then the bank account has been unblocked, though Rome prosecutors have not yet closed the case.