now forms part of its HSBC Bank Middle East subsidiary. Assessment According to Jones, "the Bank was widely seen as an agent of British imperialism, and with reason". Jones argues that during the two World Wars and in the early 1920s, the bank placed British diplomatic interests before those of Iran's elites. See also Banking and Insurance in Iran Central Bank of Iran Ottoman Bank References External links Banknotes of the Imperial Bank of Persia Banks of Iran Iran–United Kingdom relations Banks of the United Kingdom Banks established in 1889 1889 establishments in Iran British overseas banks Former central banks