Mosque seizures

NEW YORK, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Four mosques and another building in the United States owned by the Alavi Foundation were seized by federal authorizes who allege the group has ties to Iran.

The Alavi Foundation is an Islamic organization based in New York. Federal prosecutors claim it has sent millions of dollars to an Iranian bank that is thought to be part of the mechanism to pour money into Tehran's nuclear program.

A 36-story building in New York along with mosques in California, Maryland, New York and Texas were among properties seized Thursday.

A statement from U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara alleged the Alavi Foundation "has effectively been a front for the Government of Iran" and had been directed by officials, including Iranian representatives to the United Nations "in violation of a series of American laws."

The move is politically sensitive as the United States is trying to convince Iran to curtail its nuclear program, which some countries claim is directed toward the development of nuclear weapons but Tehran says is for peaceful purposes.