MTN has defended its operations in Iran in response to allegations from Turkcell as part of a lawsuit in which the latter is seeking damages of US$4.2 billion, reports The Financial Times. The South African-based group said the accusations that it had bribed officials and used its influence to get South Africa to abstain from a vote on Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency, were “unfounded” and “simply ludicrous.” Turkcell’s allegations stem from the 2005 decision by Iran to award the country’s second mobile network licence to MTN ahead of Turkcell. MTN owns 49 percent of Irancell with the Iranian government owning the rest.