Vodafone Group

In 2020, Vodafone Group PLC was listed as a divested security on the Michigan State Retirement System list for active business operations in Iran. 

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"Vodafone Group Plc reportedly provides telecommunications services in Iran. In 2019, CalSTRS identified Vodafone Group Plc as potentially having ties to Iran and began the review process. In 2020, CalSTRS removed Vodafone Group Plc after reviewing the company’s internal controls to prevent sanction violations."

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"Vodafone presumably bowed to geopolitical trends by terminating a Partner Markets deal formed in October 2016 with Iranian service provider Dodeh Gostar ASR Novin (operating under the HiWEB brand – Vodafonewatch, #149).

Although a Group spokesperson told Vodafonewatch in October 2018 that the HiWEB arrangement remained active (Vodafonewatch, #169), it seems that the agreement came to an end shortly after.

In its latest 20-F filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, which again included a disclosure pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Section 13(r) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, Vodafone said the arrangement to provide technical and commercial advice to HiWEB was terminated with effect from early-November 2018.

Vodafone revealed that no revenue was generated from the HiWEB deal in the financial year to 31 March 2019 (FY18-19). However, it did declare roaming and interconnect revenue from its relationship with mobile and fixed-line operators in Iran of €491,000 (£439,807) and €634,000 respectively, as well as €17,600 from the provision of telecoms services to nine Iranian embassies around the world." (Vodafone Watch, "Vodafone Group quietly exits Iran," 7/14/2019.)

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In 2019 Vodafone was listed on the Texas Comptroller List of Companies Engaging in Scrutinized Business Operations in Iran.  --

In its 2018 Annual Report filed with the SEC in 2019, Vodafone explains business activities in Iran. 

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"Company announced it was "monitoring the situation."  Rob Davies, “How Trump’s Iran deal exit could hit aviation, oil and car industries,” The Guardian (UK), May 9, 2018

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"In October 2016, Vodafone announced a non-equity agreement with Dodeh Gostar ASR Novin under the HiWEB Brand. HiWEB is a non-government-owned Iranian internet company and together with Vodafone, the company HiWEB plans to roll out, modernise and expand the telecommunications network and improve fixed mobile services." 

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"Vodafone Group PLC is partnering with an Iranian internet-service provider to help improve its local networks—the first big Western firm to jump into Iran after the U.S. moved earlier this month to make it easier for companies doing business in the Islamic Republic. The U.K. telecoms carrier said on Tuesday it plans to assist Iran’s HiWEB, a small, privately owned operator, in modernizing infrastructure and expanding landline and mobile internet services for personal and business customers. It didn’t disclose details, including any planned investment in the venture. It said it wouldn’t take an equity stake in the project." (The Wall Street Journal,  "Calling:Tehran Vodafone Leaps Into Iran With Internet-Service Deal"10/18/2016).