After decades, terror victims to receive proceeds from sale of Iran-linked NYC skyscraper
New York Jewish Week via JTA — For nearly two decades, the families of victims of Iranian-sponsored terrorism have watched a 36-story Manhattan skyscraper generate millions in rental income for the Islamic Republic while their court judgments against Iran went unsatisfied.
On Monday, amid the Israeli-American war against Iran, that wait finally produced a result: a $318 million settlement that will direct funds from the sale of the building to hundreds of victims, including Jewish and Israeli families who lost loved ones to Iran-backed terror attacks stretching from Jerusalem to New York.
The case centered on concealed Iranian government interests in 650 Fifth Avenue, a Manhattan office tower. After the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic took over the Alavi Foundation, a charitable body originally established by the previous regime under the shah, and created a partnership with Bank Melli Iran, an Iranian government-owned bank sanctioned by the United States.
The bank routed tens of millions in rental income to Tehran through shell companies while hiding its ownership stake, in violation of US sanctions.
Among those being compensated under the settlement are families and estates of victims of the........
