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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/world/middleeast/29sanctions.html
World Group Tells Banks to Beware of Deals with Iran
[New York Times] Steven R. Weisman - In a move that strengthens the American-backed effort to isolate Iran, the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force, a leading international organization responsible for combating financial crimes, called Thursday for all countries to be wary of Iran's banking system because of concerns over money-laundering and aid to terrorists. The U.S. Treasury Department said the action "sends a clear message to governments and financial institutions worldwide that the threat Iran poses to the international financial system continues unabated." In a separate development on Thursday, the Bush administration imposed penalties on four Syrians accused of easing the flow of money, weapons and people involved in terrorism through Syria into Iraq. The action had the effect of freezing their assets in the U.S., a largely symbolic step because the Syrians are not thought to have such assets.