Huawei pledges not to pursue Iran business

"Huawei Technologies has pledged not to pursue new business in Iran as the world’s second-largest telecom infrastructure vendor seeks to contain damage to its reputation in Western markets. The rare move follows criticism especially in the US – a market in which the Chinese telecom equipment maker is struggling – that equipment Huawei sold to Iran’s state-controlled mobile operators allegedly helped the Iranian authorities locate and arrest dissidents and censor the news... Sources close to the company said it had held talks with United Against Nuclear Iran, an American pressure group which had called on Huawei to pull out of Iran. Mark Wallace, a former US ambassador the United Nations who is president of United Against Nuclear Iran, welcomed Huawei’s decision. 'For the first time, a major Chinese business has joined the worldwide movement to isolate Iran. The message to companies around the world is clear: Iran is off limits to responsible businesses,' he said."