Closure of certain Iranians’ accounts in Britain is not something new and is mainly rooted in the past, he said, noting, “As far as know, no new problem is there now.”

Closure of certain customers’ bank accounts by UK banks can be linked to financial offensives as well as money laundering, he said, noting that of course, the problem can occur for all other nationalities, he said.

Closure of Iranian nationals’ accounts in the UK banks in the past mainly pertained to the way of transfer or receiving money by them which based on European Union and UK’s regulations were considered illegal, the official said.

Money drafts which are officially deposited in individuals’ accounts in Britain are not illegal from the perspective of British banks and have no problems, but if transfer of money is made in cash or via the exchangers, it will have negative impacts on British banks, which may deal with the owners of such accounts., he said.

Meskarian further noted that blocking certain Iranian nationals’ accounts in times of sanctions are mainly rooted in a series of banking operations at source which did not comply with British banking standards.

However, he said, the issue is not confined to Iran and other countries can encounter such limitations.

Laws pertaining to financial offensives and money laundering are getting further complicated and strict as European banks have been ordered to comply with the regulation No. 4 of money laundering as of June 28, he said.

Based on the British banking regulations, specificity as to the source of
money is important and has nothing to do with nationality, he said.

International Bank Persia was established in March 2002 as the result of merger of Mellat and Tejarat banks in London.

Bank Persia was sanctioned by European Union in July, 2010, leading to cessation of its activities in London.