RFE
16 Dec 2015, 01:47 GMT+10
Iran has banned the import of hundreds of American goods that include toilet paper, shuttlecocks, and tanks in a move that appears largely designed to clap alarm bells about creeping U.S. influence.
The 227-item ban list was issued by the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran on December 14 and reportedly sent to the relevant provincial authorities.
The measure comes against a
that a recent agreement to curb Tehran's nuclear program could open the door to growing U.S. influence and "infiltration."
U.S. law has long prohibited U.S. individuals or entities from doing business with Iran, a result of the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and taking of American hostages in 1979-81, and that continuing trade embargo would appear to make this recent Iranian move unnecessary.
But Iranian Commerce and Industry Minister Reza Nematzadeh last month ordered a ban on U.S. consumer goods. He touted a necessity "to stop the entry of American consumer goods and to prohibit products that symbolize the presence of the United States in the country."
Nematzadeh cited a demand by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to empower Iranian production and avoid U.S. consumer goods.
The Trade Promotion Organization's list also includes cars, billiard tables, nail and shaving products, bottle openers, stamps, chewing gum, vinegar, and cigars.
A woman plays badminton in a Tehran park.
Khamenei, who has the last say on political and religious affairs in the Islamic republic, has repeatedly warned since the nuclear deal was signed in July of U.S. efforts to "infiltrate" Iran -- including using money and sex to achieve Washington's purported aim.
Other officials from the hard-line faction of Iran's clerically dominated establishment have issued similar warnings.
Tehran's interim Friday Prayers leader, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, was quoted last month as saying that the United States uses "sandwiches" to expand its influence.
"Whenever America has aimed at entering a country, it has done so through sandwiches and McDonald's [restaurants] and opened an infiltration window," Khatami said, according to domestic media.
Iranian imports from the United States include seeds and medical devices.
Some U.S. consumer goods -- such as iPhones and sneakers -- also make their way into Iran through the black market despite decades of the U.S. trade embargo.
The implementation of July's nuclear deal should lead to the removal of some sanctions: U.S. companies will be allowed to sell civilian aircraft and parts to Iran, for instance.
But the remaining trade embargo will still limit U.S. firms' permission to do business in other areas, including the oil industry and consumer goods.
Copyright (c) 2014. RFE/RL, Inc. Republished with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036Get a daily dose of Iran Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Iran Herald.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York -U.S. stock markets closed with broad gains on Thursday, led by strong performances in U.S. tech stocks, while European...
LONDON/STOCKHOLM: The Persson family is ramping up its investment in the H&M fashion empire, fueling renewed speculation about a potential...
PARIS, France: L'Oréal is making a fresh play in the booming premium haircare segment with a new acquisition. The French beauty conglomerate...
MENLO PARK, California: Robinhood is giving European investors a new way to tap into America's most prominent tech names — without...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks diverged on Wednesday for the second day in a row. The Standard and Poor's 500 hit a new all-time...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. dollar continues to lose ground, weighed down by growing concerns over Washington's fiscal outlook...
GENEVA, Switzerland: A new United Nations report alleges that dozens of global corporations are profiting from and helping sustain...
LONDON, UK - Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have voted overwhelmingly to proscribe the direct-action group Palestine Action as a terrorist...
JERUSALEM, Israel: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel's success in the war with Iran could open the door to...
China, EU hold 13th round of high-level strategic dialogue At the 13th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue Wednesday,...
Washington is trying to help Ukraine but prioritizing American interests, the US leader has said President Donald Trump has denied...
The Settlement Administration in the area is ready to follow such an order immediately, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said...