Iran has said it will cease cultural co-operation with the British Museum if a treasure is not loaned to the nation.
The Cyrus Cylinder is being held by the museum because of Iran’s “post-election situation”, an Iranian official told the country’s Fars news agency.
Hamid Baqaie said the museum’s pledge to send the Babylonian artefact at another date was “just an excuse”.
The British Museum said its trustees “reaffirmed their intention to lend the Cylinder to Iran”.
