Ongoing Campaigns

Ongoing Campaigns

Building on its unprecedented success in pressuring multinational corporations such as Caterpillar, Ingersoll Rand, Huntsman and KPMG to cease their Iran business, UANI has launched campaigns against companies across a broad array of sectors ranging from telecommunications to defense contracting.

Launched a campaign calling on French utility firm Veolia Environnement SA (Veolia) to forgo business in Iran as part of UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign. Veolia participated in a in a three-day French trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the implementation of the Geneva interim agreement. At the same time, Veolia maintains a vast U.S. presence and has benefited from vast U.S. federal government contracts totaling over $180 million since 2000, primarily from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Launched a campaign calling on French energy giant GDF Suez to forgo business in Iran as part of UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign. GDF Suez participated in a in a three-day French trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the implementation of the Geneva interim agreement. At the same time, GDF Suez maintains a vast U.S. presence and has benefited from U.S. government contracts totaling over $87 million since 2000. Until 2010, the company worked with the National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC) to assess the country's hydrocarbon reserves.

Launched a campaign calling on Austrian steel conglomerate Voestalpine to cease its current business and exploration of new business in Iran as part of UANI's Austria Trade Delegation Campaign. Voestalpine was part of an Austrian trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the signing of the Geneva interim nuclear agreement. Several of the company's subsidiaries also list distributors in Iran on their respective websites. At the same time, Voestalpine maintains a significant U.S. presence, and is set for an April 2014 groundbreaking of a $740 million iron ore processing plant in Corpus Christi, Texas, touted as the company's "largest foreign investment to date."

Launched a campaign calling on Austrian automotive firm AVL List GmbH (AVL) to forego business in Iran as part of UANI's Austria Trade Delegation Campaign. AVL was part of an Austrian trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the signing of the Geneva interim nuclear agreement. At the same time, AVL maintains a significant U.S. presence has received millions of dollars in U.S. Government contracts.

Launched a campaign calling on French industrial conglomerate Alstom to forgo business in Iran as part of UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign. Alstom participated in a in a three-day French trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following the implementation of the Geneva interim agreement. At the same time, Alstom maintains a vast U.S. presence, with as many as 10,000 employees in the country, and hundreds of millions of dollars in government contracts.

Launched a campaign calling on German construction equipment manufacturer Atlas Maschinen GmbH (Atlas) to end its Iran business as part of UANI's Cranes Campaign. UANI presented Atlas with photographs and reports indicating that its cranes have been recently used for public executions in the country. Atlas is reportedly represented in Iran by the entity Hydro Atlas.

Launched a campaign calling on French telecom giant Alcatel-Lucent (Alcatel) to end its business in Iran as part of UANI's France Trade Delegation Campaign. Alcatel is currently active in Iran and participated in a in a three-day French trade mission to Tehran to explore new business opportunities following implementation of the Geneva interim agreement. At the same time, Alcatel has benefited from enormous U.S. government contracts totaling approximately $1.2 billion since 2000, more than 90% of which came from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Launched a campaign calling on Italy's Ignazio Messina, the world's second largest roll-on/roll-off tanker operator, to immediately end its Iran operations. Ignazio Messina operates container and roll-on/roll-off services at the port of Bandar Abbas, Iran's largest port which is known to be controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Ignazio Messina had worked with sanctioned Iranian front companies.

Launched a campaign calling on Sweden's Stoc Holding AB to explain and cease its business to and from Iran. Through its MINERVA system, UANI discovered that Stoc Holding controls a vessel, called the "Persia," that appears to operate a dedicated route in support of Iran's petrochemical industry. Stoc Holding openly advertises its ties to sanctioned Iranian entities on the front page of its website.

Launched a campaign calling on French automaker Renault to end its business in Iran as part of UANI's AUTO Campaign. Renault operates the joint venture Renault Pars with the Iranian regime to produce Renault vehicles in Iran. Renault produced over 100,000 vehicles for the Iranian market in 2012 alone. On July 1, 2013 President Obama's Executive Order 13645 went into effect, authorizing the imposition of sanctions on entities active in Iran's automotive sector. UANI called on Renault to immediately end its business in Iran, or face penalties under these sanctions.

Launched a campaign calling on General Motors (GM) to use its influence and leverage to compel its new partner, French automaker Peugeot, to immediately end its extensive business in Iran. In the event Peugeot does not comply, UANI has called on GM to end its partnership with Peugeot. UANI has also called on GM to explain its new partnership with Unison, a Belarus-based auto manufacturer that is reportedly partially owned by the Iranian regime-owned automaker Iran Khodro (IKCO).

Launched the UANI Maritime Intelligence Network and Rogue Vessel Analysis (MINERVA) system. Through MINERVA, UANI tracks Iranian vessels and identifies and exposes the Iranian regime's efforts to smuggle oil and cargo in circumvention of international sanctions. UANI conducts 24-hour real-time tracking and course prediction of Iranian and Iran-related vessels, including clandestine vessels, anywhere in the world. The launch of MINERVA was profiled in The New York Times.

Launched the UANI Social Media Campaign to call on Facebook, Twitter, and Google to suspend the accounts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior regime officials as long as the regime severely restricts and punishes its own citizens' use of these social media platforms.

Launched the UANI Port Authority Campaign to call on North American port authorities to deny docking privileges to shipping companies that operate in Iran. In the launch op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, "Closing U.S. Ports to Iran-Tainted Shipping," UANI wrote that local port authorities can and should declare their ports off limits to shippers that are at the same time accessing Iranian ports. Such declarations would in effect force shippers to end their services to and from Iran, and thereby isolate the Iranian regime and complicate its importing of raw materials for its nuclear program.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Tunneling and Construction Campaign, calling on French mechanical engineering firm NFM to end its business in Iran. NFM provides tunneling equipment in Iran, and has worked directly with entities affiliated with the blacklisted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The potential for misuse of NFM equipment is high and serious given that tunneling is an essential element used by Iran to hide and protect its nuclear sites.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Tunneling and Construction Campaign, calling on Italian underground excavation company SELI to end its business in Iran. SELI provides tunneling equipment in Iran, and has worked directly with entities affiliated with the blacklisted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The potential for misuse of SELI equipment is high and serious given that tunneling is an essential element used by Iran to hide and protect its nuclear sites.

Launched a campaign calling on Italian flag-carrier Alitalia to cease operations in Iran as part of UANI's Airports Campaign. Alitalia maintains regular flights and cargo services to Iran, where airports are controlled by the blacklisted Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The IRGC's control of transportation hubs is essential to achieving its illicit and deadly aims.

Launched a campaign calling on the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) to require all of its members, particularly the Istanbul Gold Exchange (IGE), to certify that the recipient of their gold products is not Iran. The LBMA should revoke the membership of any member that is unable to do so. Most of the world's over-the-counter gold trading is cleared through London. Without a membership to the LBMA, clients around the globe could not reliably access the international bullion market.

Launched a campaign calling on South Korean steel company POSCO to end its business in Iran. POSCO maintains a robust presence in Iran's steel industry, as well as through several subsidiaries such as Daewoo International. At the same time, POSCO has received more than $55 million in contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense. In March 2013, POSCO informed UANI that it has cut ties with government entities and sensitive industries in Iran such as energy. UANI continues to call on POSCO to fully end its business in Iran.

Launched a campaign calling on German flag-carrier Lufthansa Airlines to cease operations in Iran as part of UANI’s launch of its Airports Campaign. Lufthansa maintains regular flights and cargo services to Iran, where airports are controlled by the blacklisted Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The IRGC's control of transportation hubs is essential to achieving its illicit and deadly aims.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Shipping and Germany Campaign, calling on German engineering and automotive firm MAN SE, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, to end its business in Iran. MAN is directly involved in the construction of new vessels for the regime-owned Persian Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, as well as the construction of 12 new Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) for Iran, currently occurring in Chinese shipyards. Additionally, a number of Iranian oil tankers are fitted with MAN engines, and MAN also sells commercial vehicles to Iran through MAN Truck & Bus.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Germany and Auto Campaign, calling on German engine manufacturer FEV to end its business with the Iranian regime-controlled auto sector. FEV has partnered with the Iran Khodro Powertrain Company (IPCO) in the production and design of the four-cylinder IKCO EF engine, also known as Iran's "national engine." At the same time, FEV has been the recipient of $140 million in U.S. Government contracts.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Shipping Campaign calling on Finnish engine manufacturer Wärtsilä to end its business in Iran. Wärtsilä provides technology and marine diesel engines to Chinese shipbuilders that are currently building oil tankers for the Iranian regime. Wärtsilä also reportedly maintains a presence in Iran through its agents and licensees.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Shipping Campaign calling on the Philtex Corporation, and its Director and President, Chris E. Warren, to stop improperly classifying Iranian vessels and end its relationship with the Iranian regime. Philtex is based in the UAE but run by Warren out of Texas, and has been engaged in deceptive and improper classification activities for Iran, including registering Iranian vessels under the Tanzanian flag, while operating the Tanzania Zanzibar International Register of Shipping. In August 2013, UANI applauded the government of Tanzania for announcing that it will break its contract with the Philtex for its illicit behavior.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Tech & Telecom Campaign calling on Swedish telecom giant Ericsson to end its Iran business and stop working with human rights abuser MTN Irancell. Ericsson plans to extend its network in Iran and has pledged to support MTN Irancell until 2021.

Launched a campaign calling on the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to immediately end its project in Iran as part of UANI's United Nations Campaign. UNIDO has done extensive work with the Iranian regime and sanctioned entities such as the Industrial Development and Renovation Organization of Iran (IDRO), which works to advance Iran's illicit nuclear and ballistic missile activities.

Launched the UANI United Nations Campaign to call on the UN to suspend Iran’s rights and privileges in the international organization given its continued defiance of the UN Charter and international law. The Iranian regime has been repeatedly sanctioned by the UN Security Council and condemned by the International Atomic Energy Agency for violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Launched a campaign calling on luxury watchmaker Omega and its parent company Swatch Group to end their luxury business in Iran as part of UANI's launch of its Luxury Goods Campaign. The Iranian regime relies on access to luxury goods to co-opt Iranian elites, and, in turn, maintain power. Omega has 10 authorized retailers in Tehran and Swatch Group brands Longines, Blancpain, Breguet, Glashutte Original, Jaquet Droz and Rado are also active in Iran.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Tech & Telecom Campaign calling on South Korean electronics firm LG to stop selling surveillance products to Iran through regime-controlled entities.

Launched the UANI Lebanon Banking Campaign revealing the Iran-Hezbollah-Lebanon Sovereign Money Laundering Enterprise in which illicit Iranian and Hezbollah funds are laundered through Lebanon’s Central Bank (Banque du Liban) in order to artificially and fraudulently support Lebanese debt securities. Due to this fraud, UANI is calling on all financial institutions to divest from Lebanon's Sovereign Debt market, credit rating agencies to re-rate Lebanon to a "no rating" and for Lebanon to be cut off from the U.S financial system under Section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act.

Launched a campaign as part of UANI's Tech & Telecom Campaign calling on British telecom firm Creativity Software to stop selling technology to Iran that facilitates oppression. Creativity has done business in Iran through a partnership with regime-controlled MTN Irancell, a firm known to illegally monitor and track Iranian citizens. In 2011, Creativity reportedly sold MTN Irancell a location-tracking system that can track a target's movement every 15 seconds and plot the locations on a map.

Launched a campaign calling on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to end its business in Iran and close its account in Iran’s Central Bank. The international community has recognized that Iran’s Central Bank is a financing enterprise for Iran’s illicit nuclear program, its sponsorship of global terror and its brutal repression of the Iranian people.

Launched a campaign calling on Japanese automaker Nissan to end its business in Iran as part of UANI's AUTO Campaign. This call is particularly pressing in light of Nissan’s $1 billion contract to manufacture New York City’s "Taxi of Tomorrow."

Launched a campaign calling on New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg to refuse to award the contract for the "Taxi of Tomorrow" campaign to any company that conducts business in Iran. Turkish automaker Karsan has since ended its business in Iran while Japan's Nissan continues to do such business.

Launched a campaign calling on Chinese telecom giant ZTE to cease its business in Iran as part of UANI's Tech & Telecom Campaign. As part of a $130.6 million contract signed in December 2010, ZTE sold an advanced surveillance system to the IRGC-owned Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) that enables the Iranian regime to monitor the voice, text messaging and internet communications of its citizens. TCI possesses a near monopoly on landline telephone services and internet traffic in the country. Shortly after UANI's campaign, ZTE announced that it "no longer seeks new customers in Iran and limits business activities with existing customers." UANI continues to call ZTE for a full pullout from Iran.

Launched a campaign calling on Japanese automaker Mazda to end its business in Iran as part of UANI's launch of its IRGC Campaign. Mazda is tied to the IRGC through its partnership with the Bahman Group, a Tehran-based manufacturing conglomerate that is licensed to manufacture and assemble Mazda vehicles. Bahman is 45.5 percent owned by the IRGC. Since 2000, Mazda has also received approximately $2.4 billion in U.S. federal contracts and grants.

Launched a campaign calling on French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen (Peugeot) to end its business in Iran. Peugeot, the leading foreign auto brand produced and sold in Iran, is partnered with the Iran Khodro Group, which is controlled by the Iranian regime. UANI also warned General Motors (GM) that its new partnership with Peugeot could run afoul of U.S. sanctions and called on GM to use its influence and leverage to compel Peugeot to immediately end its business in Iran. Despite Peugeot's claims to have stopped its auto shipments to Iran in February 2012, 203,639 Peugeot vehicles were produced in Iran during the Persian calendar year that ended March 20, 2013.

Launched a campaign calling on the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to end its business with the Iranian regime or lose its lucrative contracts with the U.S. Government, including the U.S. Army. In March 2011, IHG hosted Iran’s delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council, while in September 2009 IHG hosted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at The Barclay New York during the UN General Assembly.

Launched a campaign calling on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), which facilitates financial transfers worldwide, to comply with U.S., EU and UN sanctions and stop providing services to the Central Bank of Iran, sanction-designated Iranian financial institutions and the rest of the Iranian banking system. Without access to SWIFT-issued Business Identifier Codes, the Iranian regime would be largely isolated from the global financial system. Subsequently, SWIFT discontinued services to EU-sanctioned Iranian financial institutions. UANI applauded SWIFT's decision but continues to call on SWIFT to discontinue all services to U.S.-sanctioned Iranian financial institutions and more broadly the entire Iranian financial system.

Launched a campaign calling on the Allied Engineering Group (AEG) and the Central Bank of Lebanon to end their relationships with Iranian banks and financial institutions, and prevent Iran from using Lebanon as a banking hub to avoid sanctions. AEG is SWIFT's Beirut-based Regional Partner for the Middle East and Africa.

Launched a campaign calling on South African telecom giant MTN to cease its business in Iran as part of UANI's launch of its Tech & Telecom Campaign. MTN is a 49% shareholder of MTN Irancell, the second largest mobile phone network operator in Iran. The majority 51% is in turn owned by the Iranian regime, which has exploited the MTN Irancell network and technology to monitor and track the activities and communications of peaceful dissidents in Iran. For MTN's egregious record in Iran, UANI has called on the U.S. government to impose sanctions on the company.

Launched a campaign calling on Chinese telecom giant Huawei to cease its business in Iran as part of UANI's launch of its Tech & Telecom Campaign. Reports indicate that Huawei's telecommunications technology has been used by the Iranian regime to conduct surveillance on its citizens, and track down human rights activists and dissidents. Following discussions with UANI, Huawei announced that it would stop seeking new business in Iran and limit existing business. UANI applauded Huawei's decision but continues to call for a full pullout from Iran.

Launched a campaign calling on Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to cease its business in Iran or face U.S. sanctions. In the brutal crackdown that followed Iran’s disputed June 2009 presidential elections, NSN technology was used to suppress protesters by monitoring and blocking communications. Due to widespread public condemnation, NSN stopped work on its "monitoring centers" in Iran but continued to do business in the country. Following Huawei’s decision to pull back, NSN announced it would not take on any new business in Iran and would gradually reduce its existing commitments. UANI applauded NSN's decision but continues to call for a full NSN and Nokia pullout from Iran.

Launched a campaign calling on South Korean industrial conglomerate Hyundai Heavy Industries to cease its business in Iran as part of UANI's GAO Campaign. Hyundai Heavy has received $350 million in U.S. government contracts over the past decade, mainly from the Defense Department, while at the same doing business in Iran's energy sector that could be in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Launched a campaign calling on South Korean industrial conglomerate Daelim to cease its business in Iran as part of UANI’s launch of its GAO Campaign, an initiative to highlight companies that the U.S. government has reported do business in Iran’s energy sector. Such business could be a violation of U.S. sanctions.

Launched the Cranes Campaign, an initiative to highlight the Iranian regime's abhorrent execution method of public hanging from construction cranes. As part of the campaign, UANI is calling on Western and Asian crane companies to stop facilitating the regime’s ‘execution binge’ by ceasing all business with Iran. Thus far, UANI has succeeding in pressuring the crane manufacturers Terex, Tadano, UNIC, Liebherr and Konecranes to end their Iran business.

Launched a campaign calling on French shipping giant CMA CGM to cease all business activities in or with Iran. CMA CGM has stated it would expand its business in Iran. The shipper has also been involved in multiple incidents of shipping dangerous weaponry to or from Iran in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions.

Launched a campaign calling on Anglo-Australian mining conglomerate Rio Tinto to comply with U.S. and UN sanctions by divesting Iran’s holdings in the company’s uranium mine in Namibia. Iranian personnel have access to the facility, from which they can acquire valuable technical knowledge to advance the regime’s nuclear weapons program.

Launched a campaign calling on Honeywell to cease its sales of security technologies in Iran as well as its participation in projects to develop Iran energy industry. As part of this effort, UANI called on the Pentagon to debar Honeywell from U.S. Government contracts. Honeywell does more business with the U.S. Government ($4.3 billion in 2009 alone) than any other company currently active in Iran.