Following EU sanctions, SWIFT financial transaction co. cuts off ties with Iranian banks

The Associated Press

BRUSSELS - The SWIFT financial transaction service says it's cutting ties with Iranian banks that are subject to European sanctions.

In a statement Thursday, SWIFT — the banking hub crucial to oil, financial transactions and other trade — said the EU decision "prohibits companies such as SWIFT to continue to provide specialized financial messaging services to EU-sanctioned banks," and the company was forced to act.

Lazaro Campos, chief executive of SWIFT, said "disconnecting banks is an extraordinary and unprecedented step for SWIFT. It is a direct result of international and multilateral action to intensify financial sanctions against Iran."

The sanctions are aimed at forcing Iran to demonstrate to the international community that it's not trying to develop nuclear weapons.