The US government moved to seize a New York skyscraper controlled by entities allegedly operating as fronts for an Iranian bank already under sanctions, the Justice Department said.

The Justice Department filed a complaint in civil court seeking the forfeiture of the Alavi Foundation's interest in a 36-storey office tower, located at 650 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

The Alavi Foundation controls the building in partnership with the Assa Corporation. The US government has already moved against Assa and accused both organisations of funnelling money to Tehran through the Iranian state-run Bank Melli.

The US accuses Bank Melli of helping to finance Iran's nuclear and missile activities and bans US citizens and firms from doing business with the bank.

In addition to the skyscraper, the complaint seeks the forfeiture of other assets belonging to the firms, including properties in New York, Maryland, Virginia, Texas and California. Reportedly among the properties are three mosques, the Justice Department said Thursday.

The US government placed sanctions in 2007 on Bank Melli and other Iranian financial firms.