* UAE-Iran ties have drawn scrutiny from Washington
* Dubai re-exports goods worth billions of dollars to Iran
The central bank of the United Arab Emirates has told financial institutions in the Gulf Arab country to freeze 41 Iran-linked accounts, in a move based on new U.N. sanctions on Tehran, a UAE daily reported on Monday.
It came a week after another Emirati newspaper said the seven-member UAE federation was “tightening the noose” on companies the United Nations Security Council suspects act as fronts for Iran’s disputed nuclear programme.
The Islamic state and the UAE have close economic and historic relations. Tens of thousands of Iranians live and work in business- and trade-hub Dubai and elsewhere in the UAE, many involved in the multi-billion-dollar re-export trade to Iran.
With Iran facing growing Western pressure, Iran’s ties with Dubai have drawn scrutiny from the United States, which has been spearheading a drive to isolate Tehran over nuclear work the West fears is aimed at making bombs. Iran denies the charge. [Read More]
