FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) -- Three Iranian opposition politicians have asked the International Monetary Fund to investigate the appearance of more than 11 billion British pounds (over $18 billion) in Turkey's treasury, alleging that the money was illegally taken out of Iran, the Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday on its Web site. The three politicians have written to the IMF's managing director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, arguing that the money should be returned to Iran, according to the report. The money has reportedly helped stabilize Turkey's economy. Turkish media have said that the money in question matched an $18.5 billion windfall announced last year by Turkey's prime minister, the Guardian reported. Turkish officials, including the central bank governor, have rejected reports that the money belongs to Iran, the Guardian said. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/iran-asks-imf-to-look-into-turkey-windfall-report-2009-09-18