UANI

Breaking News - United Against Nuclear Iran On FOX News

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HEATHER NAUERT: on another story, the feds today taking control of a new york city fifth avenue office building. now the owners of this building, believe it or not, are suspected of having financial ties to the iranian government. the government, our government, rather, alleges that this business is actually a front company for iran's bank which has been accused of supporting iran's nuclear program. we are live in new york city with all of the details. how did all of this happen? this really just came out of the blue today it seems.

ERIC SHAWN: yeah, it's unbelievable. look at manhattan, you have the tourists, the shoppers, right around the corner you have the icon of america, the rockefeller certainty christmas tree, all dressed up there and that building right there -- a piggy bank for iran. that at least according to the treasury department. they say that 36-story office building is actually owned by the government of iran and they accuse a company that runs -- partially owns that building, of being a front, saying basically that the money from that building goes to tehran to help support and develop iran's nuclear and missile -- ballistic missile program so the u.s. treasury department moving to try and seize part of that building. really an unbelievable story.

NAUERT: what about the potential iranian connection between this bank and going to funds groups that send weapons that send men across the border from iran into iraq to kill our guys and gals?

SHAWN: well, there have been many allegations and sanctions and actions against the bank. at the u.n., at the u.s. treasury department, as well as the european union. it's estimated that about $100 million has gone through the bank to support terrorist groups such as hezbollah and hamas. in fact, there were protesters here today from a group called united against nuclear iran. that's a run in part by former ambassadors richard holbrooke and others. they say this financial action is exactly what's needed.

JOE KILDEA: they're in dire straits economically and they're looking for any sorts of income they can this could make a big difference.

SHAWN: and iran has been striking back. they've tried to prevent that group from speaking and appearing at the united nations.

NAUERT: any sense how long the bank has been operating here on u.s. soil?

SHAWN: well, this building was built in 1979 by the iran so of course after the revolution, it was potentially, according to the allegations, then somehow taken over and continued through the government. that's the allegation right now. that it was run by the bank through a shell company and the funds have been going back to tehran all this time. the tenants though in the building, of course, have nothing to do with this they just pay the rents. they've had some very prominent talents, including liz clay born. one of the biggest hollywood p.r. firms represents a lot of movie stars. they probably had no idea who allegedly is behind this.

NAUERT: thank you so much for joining us. we will certainly be hearing more about this story.

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