World Bank lends to Iran

The World Bank has awarded its first loan to Iran for at least six years, in face of opposition by the United States, its largest shareholder.

The bank is lending Iran about two hundred and thirty million dollars to improve health care and sewerage systems.

Washington said it would send the wrong message to Teheran at a time when thirteen Iranian Jews were on trial accused of spying for Israel. Canada and France abstained. The World Bank President, James Wolfenson, said that while several member countries expressed deep concern at events in Iran, the bank's board of directors wanted to support the reform agenda of President Khatami.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service