Iran: Tehran fights back against Luxembourg asset freeze to Markazi

Tehran has sharply criticised a previously unreported decision by a Luxembourg court to freeze $1.6bn of assets owned by Bank Markazi-ye Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran (Central Bank of Iran), saying it is contrary to international law. The New York Times reported on 6 March that a court froze the assets last year, following legal action by victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States who allege Iran helped Al-Qaeda by facilitating travel through its territory.