The U.S. government siezed properties in parts of New York City and Houston that belonge to the Alavi Foundation.
According to their website, the Alavi Foundation seeks to spread knowledge and understanding of Persian culture and the Persian language.
According to federal prosecutors, the organization has raised millions of dollars to for the government of Iran.
One of the properties seized by the government was a 36-story skyscraper in Manhattan, pictured below.
It is against U.S. law to conduct trade with the Iranian government.
Included in the seizure was a Shiite masjid in Houston, and a Shiite Islamic center in New York City.
CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has criticized the seizure calling it “unprecedented.”
