Iran has rejected accusations by France, Britain and the United States
that its banks are financing illegal nuclear activities and terrorism.
Iran sent a letter to the United Nations Security Council Friday, calling the allegations baseless.
It also accused France, Britain and the U.S. of trying to disrupt the financial affairs of millions of Iranian bank customers.
Earlier
this month, the three countries warned the Security Council of attempts
by Iran to use the country's banks to help expand its nuclear
capabilities.
The Western countries specifically cautioned
countries from doing business with two of Iran's largest banks, Bank
Melli and Bank Saderat. They also alleged the banks have been involved
in financing terrorism.
The U.N. Security Council has imposed
three rounds of sanctions against Iran and is considering more for
refusing to stop enriching uranium, a key step in the production of
nuclear weapons.
In its letter to the Security Council, Iran
again dismissed allegations it is pursuing nuclear technology for
non-peaceful activities.
Western countries suspect Iran of enriching uranium in an effort to acquire nuclear weapons.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
