European Gas Forum Cancelled Due to UANI Pressure Campaign Highlighting Grave Risks of Business Pursuits in Iran


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2016
[email protected]

European Gas Forum Cancelled Due to UANI Pressure Campaign Highlighting Grave Risks of Business Pursuits in Iran
UANI Hails Cancellation of the Global Forum on Export of Natural Gas to Europe

New York, NY - United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), the nonpartisan, not-for-profit advocacy organization known for its efforts to heighten awareness of the danger the Iranian regime poses to the world, applauded the cancellation of the Global Forum on Export of Natural Gas to Europe, which was to be held June 16-17 in Barcelona, Spain. UANI's pressure campaign successfully dissuaded Forum participants, partners, and organizers from attending or supporting the event due to the severe reputational and business risks associated with Iranian entities slated to participate at the Forum.

"The cancellation of the Global Forum on Export of Natural Gas to Europe is a reflection of the serious trepidation that exists among members of the global community regarding potential business opportunities in Iran," said UANI co-founder and CEO, Ambassador Mark D. Wallace. "UANI's efforts have sent a clear signal to Tehran that responsible businesses remain unwilling to put their money and their reputation at risk in pursuit of deals with an outlaw regime."

In the weeks leading up to the conference, UANI sent letters to all Forum partners as well as the event organizers, alerting them to the fact that the participating National Iranian Gas Export Company has deep ties to the internationally sanctioned Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The National Iranian Gas Export Company, a partner of the Forum, is controlled by Iran's Ministry of Petroleum. The current Minister of Petroleum, Bijan Zangeneh, has vowed to accommodate IRGC interests.

The IRGC operates through a series of front companies, making it virtually impossible for international companies and investors to discern legitimate business partners in Iran. Foreign investors could unintentionally funnel money directly to the IRGC, which is just one of many severe risks that define the Iranian market today.

In response to UANI's letter, the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SAM) informed UANI's New York office that it had been invited to deliver a talk about Azerbaijan's future gas projects, but had never confirmed its participation even though it was listed as a partner of the Forum. In subsequent communications with various Forum participants, partners, and organizers, UANI learned that the event had been cancelled due to its efforts.

"We are pleased to see business leaders acknowledge and distance themselves from the environment of risk and uncertainty in Iran," said UANI Chairman and former Senator Joseph Lieberman. "There is a growing consensus among the global community that these risks far outweigh any potential benefit from investment in Iran."

###

About UANI
UANI is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan, advocacy group founded in 2008 by Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, former CIA Director Jim Woolsey, and Middle East Expert Ambassador Dennis Ross that seeks to heighten awareness of the danger the Iranian regime poses to the world.