Court seizes NY skyscraper said to be owned by Iran

A New York skyscraper has been seized by US authorities who believe it is secretly owned by the Iranian government.

Prosecutors allege that the rental income on the Manhattan tower block, said to be 650 Fifth Ave or the Piaget building by the Washington Post, was secretly channeled to Iran's state-owned bank.

The US justice department has described the seizure as the "largest-ever terrorism-related forfeiture".

The Alavi foundation which is registered as owner of the building said it will appeal the seizure.