"Isuzu Motors Ltd is considering expanding its business in Iran following the recent removal of the Japanese government’s economic sanctions on Tehran, a company official said Monday. The Japanese commercial vehicle maker is apparently aiming to increase exports of parts for light-duty trucks while watching the economic situation in Iran, Japan’s Jiji Press reported. Currently, a local company in Iran assembles such trucks using parts shipped from Isuzu and sells them in the country. When the economic sanctions were in place, the period for parts shipments had been limited. At a press conference, Isuzu Managing Executive Officer Makoto Kawahara said, 'We will work on expanding our operations in Iran even more actively once the economic sanctions are fully removed.'" (Bernama, “Japan’s Isuzu mulling biz expansion in Iran,” 2/10/2016)

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"Isuzu Motors plans to resume exports of light trucks and other models to Iran once [sanctions are lifted]." (Nikkei, “Japanese automakers readying to renew exports to Iran,” 10/10/2015)

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In 2015 testimony before the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Emanuele Ottolenghi affirmed, “Bahman Group and the firms that control it are IRGC companies.” He continued: "The firm is a case study that illustrates how IRGC companies are structured to obfuscate corporate governance information as a means to evade sanctions. The two company shareholders that jointly control Bahman Group – Fan Pardazan Bahman Co. (27.41%) and Andishe Fardah Investment Company (25.62%) – are both owned by Bahman Group itself. The identity of the board of directors, however, reveals IRGC control over the company." (Testimony Before the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, “The Iran Nuclear Deal and its Impact on Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps,” 09/17/2015).
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Individuals in charge of the IRGC charitable foundation that owns a large stake in the Bahman Group, the “Cooperative Foundation” (a.k.a. Bonyad-e Ta’avon Sepah), include: Brigadier General Morteza Rezaei (Chairman): former head of IRGC intelligence for a decade and former deputy commander in chief of the IRGC. Rezaei has direct involvement in terror activities. Morteza Bahmanyar (Chief Financial Officer): head of the budget planning department at the U.S.-sanctioned Aerospace Industries Organization, a Ministry of Defense company in charge of Iran’s ballistic missile program. Masoud Mehrdadi (Board Member): financial expert for the IRGC, also serving on the board for other IRGC entities. (Business Insider, “If The US Wants A Nuclear Deal, It Needs To Fully Enforce Its Sanctions Against Iran's Revolutionary Guards,” 9/14/2014).

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"Isuzu uses the Bahman Group as its distributor in Iran, according to Isuzu's Web site. The Sepah Cooperative Foundation, a large investment fund closely linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), owns a 45 percent share of the Bahman Group, according to Iranian newspaper reports. (Among the links between the Sepah Cooperative Foundation and the IRGC: the general manager of the the Sepah Cooperative until this fall was IRGC commander Ahmad Vahid-Dastjerdi. Another former notable head of the Sepah Cooperative Foundation was Mohsen Rafiqdoost, who helped found the IRGC. The Sepah Cooperative Foundation's stake in the Bahman Group has also been reported by Rand Corporation, in a 2009 report prepared for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, as well as the think tanks the Washington Institute, and the Council on Foreign Relations reports.) Isuzu spokesman Kouichi Itou said in a statement that the company was not aware of those links and believed that a 'Retirement Insurance Organization' was a 45 percent shareholder in Bahman."

From 2000 through March 2010, Isuzu has been the recipient of $1.9 million in U.S. federal funds. (The New York Times, "Profiting from Iran, and the U.S.", 3/6/10)

"South Korea's finance minister said on Thursday his country will start trading with Iran using the euro on Aug. 29. 'It will be implemented from next Monday,' Yoo Il-ho told reporters in Seoul, referring to a decision which will allow trade between the two nations to be settled in the euro. The move 'will greatly resolve obstacles that stood in the way of facilitating investment and trading with Iran,' Yoo said, and added that KEB Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank have been selected as settlement banks. Up till now, South Korea's purchases of Iranian oil and payments for construction projects in Iran have been settled in the won, restricting business activities even after the lifting of Western sanctions against the Middle Eastern country." (Reuters, "South Korea to start trading with Iran in euro on Aug 29," 08/25/2016).

"Enterkhab, owned by Iran’s Mohammad Reza Dayyani, recently got international court approval at Rotterdam, the Netherland, to seize assets of Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, KEB Hana Bank and others, according to officials.

The compensation dispute between the Iranian company and the Korean government dates back to 2010, when the Dayyani family -- largest shareholder of Iranian home appliance seller Enterkhab -- failed to acquire Daewoo Electronics.

Selected as a priority bidder to acquire the electronics company, Entekhab paid 57.8 billion ($51.5 million) as a 10 percent down payment. But creditors later annulled the deal, citing the lack of transparency in financing plans and refused to pay back the money.

Suspecting that the Korean government wrongfully interfered in the transaction, under pressure from Washington, Dayyanis filed an investor-state dispute lawsuit." (Korea Herald, "Iranian firm likely to seize assets of Korean firms amid dispute," 8/20/2019).

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"KEB Hana Bank is facing an investigation for possible human rights violations after the bank was found to have requested its Iranian customers to close their bank accounts, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday...KEB Hana Bank said it requested dozens of its Iranian customers here to close their banks via email and telephone between the end of September and Oct. 12.The lender has also suspended deposit and withdrawal services for Iranian customers here since Oct. 31." (Korea Times, "KEB Hana Bank under probe for discriminating against Iranian customers," 11/9/2018).

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“According to Iranian Embassy in South Korea, Iranians can open bank accounts from October 5 in all branches of KEB Hana Bank and Woori Bank and carry out banking transactions,” Pooya Firoozi was quoted as saying." (Financial Times, "Iran's Banking Problems With South Korea Resolved," 10/9/2018).

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"South Korea's finance minister said on Thursday his country will start trading with Iran using the euro on Aug. 29. 'It will be implemented from next Monday,' Yoo Il-ho told reporters in Seoul, referring to a decision which will allow trade between the two nations to be settled in the euro. The move 'will greatly resolve obstacles that stood in the way of facilitating investment and trading with Iran,' Yoo said, and added that KEB Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank and Woori Bank have been selected as settlement banks. Up till now, South Korea's purchases of Iranian oil and payments for construction projects in Iran have been settled in the won, restricting business activities even after the lifting of Western sanctions against the Middle Eastern country." (Reuters, "South Korea to start trading with Iran in euro on Aug 29," 08/25/2016).

CEO and President of Nissan, said in relation to Iran, “[w]e’re ready to go,” further positing that “Iran is a very promising market.” (Press TV, “Franco-Japanese auto giant keen on Iran expansion,” 1/12/2016).

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“Nissan Motor and other Japanese automakers are looking to restart exports to Iran as the prospect of sanctions relief grows stronger. Nissan has informed parts suppliers that it may resume shipments to the Middle Eastern nation for the first time since 2013 sometime next spring. It would send so-called knockdown kits, to be assembled locally, rather than finished autos. The automaker appears to be looking to export enough of these kits for several thousand vehicles a year… New-auto sales in Iran totaled about 1.1 million last year and are expected to reach 1.6 million in 2020 assuming the sanctions are lifted, according to IHS Automotive, a U.S. research company.” (Nikkei Asian Review, “Japanese automakers readying to renew exports to Iran,” 10/10/2015)

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"Iranian car manufacturing company Saipa is in talks with France's PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault, Germany's Mercedes-Benz, and Sweden's Volvo to finalize deals on joint production of cars in Iran, Saipa officials announced on Tuesday. Saipa CEO Saeid Madani announced that the company is in negotiations with PSA Peugeot Citroen to sign a deal, but at the same time noted that any deal would depend on the ongoing talks between Tehran and world powers over the country's peaceful nuclear energy program. He made the remarks on the sidelines of a ceremony held here in Tehran to unveil the production line of a new Volvo truck in Saipa Diesel factory… Japanese company Nissan has also declared its willingness to cooperate with Saipa and expand collabortions with the Iranian firm, he added." (Tasnim, "Iran's Saipa Negotiating with European Automakers," 5/12/15)

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"The Trade Promotion Organization of Iran has announced the list of cars which are allowed to be imported in the current Iranian year, but renowned brands such as Porsche, Benz, BMW, Maserati, and Nissan are not in the list, ISNA news agency reported." (AzerNews, "Iran bans imports of renowned car brands," 5/27/2013)

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"Such car brands as Nissan, Peugeot (sedan and hatchback), Toyota for several reasons, stopped their car manufacturing in Iran several months ago. Because French Peugeot Company and Iran Khodro stopped the co-operation, the manufacturing of Peugeot 206 in Iran has stopped. As for Nissan's Maxima brand, the giant car manufacturer from Japan halted its business in Iran after 11 years. However, in both cases with Nissan and Peugeot, several models are still being sold in Iran, such as Peugeot's 405 model, and Nissan's Teana. The report said that aside from Nissan and Peugeot, such car brands as Chinese Lifan, Mazda, Suzuki, and Hyundai are still being manufactured in Iran." (Trend, "Five reasons why Iran's car manufacturing suffers blow after blow," 11/27/2012)

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"A US activist group on Wednesday urged French automaker Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan to pull their business out of Iran because of its suspected program to develop nuclear weapons. In an open letter to Carlos Ghosn, the Renault-Nissan Alliance's chief executive officer, the advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) said, 'Renault's business dealings in Iran directly support the Iranian regime's ability to develop its illegal nuclear weapons program, support its terrorist proxies and puruse a brutal campaign of repression against the Iranian people.'... The UANI letter said it was 'disturbing' that Nissan was getting a contract valued at about $1 billion to manufacture a new fleet of New York City taxis while the automaker continues to do business in Iran. 'New York taxpayer dollars should not benefit a corporation, like Nissan, that partners with a regime that is the world's number one state sponsor of terror and has formed an alliance with al-Qaeda,' UANI said." (AFP, "US activists pressure Renault-Nissan to leave Iran," 4/5/2012)

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"Nissan has a longtime relationship with the Iranian car company Pars Khodro Co., which has been producing Nissan cars and trucks for the Japanese company for sale in Iran since at least 1987. Nissan also does business with the United States government, selling the Department of Defense cars and trucks." From 2000-2009, the company was the recipient of $15.7 million US federal funds. Their investments in Iran are currently active. (The New York Times, "Profiting from Iran, and the US," 3/6/2010)

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Nissan has a production facility in Tehran with Pars Khodro, a major Iranian automobile manufacturer. In 2008, Pars Khodro manufactured the Nissan Pickup, Maxima and Paladin in this facility. In 2007, Pars Khodro produced 7,967 Nissan vehicles. (Nissan, “Profile 2008”)

Pars Khodro lists on its website that it sells and/or manufactures the Nissan Murano, Maxima, Pickup, Roniz [Paladin] and Teana car models. (Company Website)

Nissan Murano in Iran
Nissan Murano in Iran (Courtesy of IranSupercars)

SHL sponsored the 2016 Iran Oil and Gas Summit (the “Summit”). The Summit claims to “represent [] an excellent opportunity to host the industry’s most senior delegation of oil and gas decision-makers.” (Iran Oil and Gas Summit Website, “2016 Sponsors”).

Mercom attended the 4th Iran International Aluminium Conference (the “Conference”) held in Tehran on May 11-12, 2016. (4th Iran International Aluminium Conference Website, “List of International Attendees”).

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A reference on trading website AsiaTradeHub.com suggests Mercom may have an existing presence in Iran through Mercom co. Ltd., an importer and distributor of “all kinds of stainless steel and alloy metals.” (AsiaTradeHub Website, “Mercom co. Ltd.”).

"The company was reported as potentially having exposure to Iran through a parent company, Doosan Corp. In a letter dated November 6, 2017 the company stated it is not engaged in any type of business activity targeted by the Act. CalPERS continues to monitor the company for possible changes in status relevant to the Act. CalPERS has determined to maintain the designation for 2020."

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"In 2014, Doosan Corp. was identified by CalSTRS service providers as being a supplier of automotive products to companies in Iran. In 2014, CalSTRS designated Doosan Corp. as “Under Review” for potentially having ties to Iran. In 2015, CalSTRS designated Doosan Corp. and related entities as “Divested and Restricted” after the company failed to respond to requests for information and maintained the “Divested and Restricted” status in 2019. In 2020, after a review of the company’s relationship to Iran, CalSTRS removed Doosan Corp. from the “Divested and Restricted” list after confirmation the company has curtailed its business with Iran. However, CalSTRS placed the company in a “Being Monitored” status while sanction compliance went through additional review."

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In 2014, Doosan Corp. was identified by CalSTRS service providers as being a supplier of automotive products to companies in Iran. Doosan Corp is listed on the December 31, 2018 CalSTRs Portfolio of companies identified as possibly having ties to Iran and from which CalSTRs has divested from and restricted in 2018. In 2014, CalSTRS designated Doosan Corp. as “Under Review” for potentially having ties to Iran. In 2015, CalSTRS designated Doosan Corp. and related entities as “Divested and Restricted”after the company failed to respond to requests for information and has maintained the “Divested and Restricted” designation in 2018.

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Doosan is listed on the CalPERS November 2018 Iran Divested/Restricted companies list.

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“We have tried to enter the Iranian market by, for example, signing an MOU with Iran’s National Water and Wastewater Engineering Company in April this year,” said Yoon Seok-won, head of the Water BG of Doosan, adding, “This SAKO Project signed at this time based on the recent summit talks between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani will be the starting point to increase our presence in the Iranian water market, which is estimated to grow to reach US$2 billion in 2018.” (April 1, 2016).

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In 2017, the U.S. state of California listed Doosan Corp. on its Iran scrutinized companies list rendering Doosan Corp. ineligible for investment and/or state contracting. -- "Doosan Heavy Industries has won a 220 billion won ($183 million) contract to build a desalinization plant in Iran, the first foreign company to do so since the United States and other Western nations lifted economic sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation early this year." (Korea Times, "Doosan Heavy wins desalinatization plant deal in Iran." 6/27/2016)

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"Iran and the Republic of Korea on Monday signed three agreements in the form of one memorandum of understanding (MOU) and two memorandums of agreement (MOA) during Iran-Korea Business Forum in Tehran… Another MOA was inked between the Korean Doosan Heavy Industry and Construction and the Iranian Negin Mokran Development Company (NMDC)." (Tehran Times, “Leader asks literati to care about current issues,” 6/21/2016)

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"Doosan Heavy Industries recently held a showcase in Iran to target the water conversion market with its affiliates overseas, including Doosan Skoda Power. 'Iran is a huge market that will help us break through the slumping economy and low international oil prices,' said Kim Heon-tak, a vice president of Doosan Heavy Industries. 'We will try to find an opportunity in the water conversion business with our industry-leading technology.'" (Korea Joongang Daily, “Korea courts big business in Iran,” 3/1/2016)

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Doosan Corporation is the parent company of the construction equipment brand Bobcat, which also does business in Iran. -- Doosan has a significant presence in Iran’s energy sector, having constructed at least nine power plants in Iran. (Doosan Heavy Industries Website. “Major Projects”).

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Doosan has won orders to supply more than 60 Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) for Iran. (Doosan Website. “Doosan Wins Successive Orders for Power Generation Equipment from Iran, Vietnam,” 7/21/2009; Doosan Website. “Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction wins 74 million-euro power plant project in Iran,” 6/14/2009).

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Recently, Doosan has also worked directly with the Iran Oil Company, specifically on LPG Recovery for the Win-teco/Lavan Oil Refinery in Iran in 2007, and the SAZEH Ball Tank project for Win-teco/National Iran Oil Company in 2008 (Doosan Mecatec Website. “Major Accomplishments”). -- In total, all Doosan companies have received more than $100 million from the U.S. Government in federal contracts since 2000 (USASpending.gov).

"France’s energy company Entrepose Group signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Iranian parties for cooperation on recovery and utilization of flare gas from Iran’s South Pars gas field phases 14, 17 and 18 of development. According to a report by IDRO, the MOU was signed between Entrepose Group, Industrial Projects Management Company of Iran (IPMI) and Industrial Development and Renovation Organization (IDRO) in Tehran." (January 4, 2018).

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Entrepose Group lists its participation in the Iran Oil Show 2017 that took place from May 6-9, 2017, in Tehran, Iran on its company website. (Entrepose Group, “Iran Oil Show 2017”).

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Listed as an approved vendor in Iran by POGC and IOOC.

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Entrepose “would participate” in the second phase of Iran's South Azadegan oil field development. (Mehr News, “Iran, Total oil accord ‘confidential’,” 3/24/2016).

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“[i]n Iran, where Vinci was lined up last week to design, build and operate new terminals for two airports, the group was discussing opportunities in oil and gas and holding preliminary talks to build high-speed train stations in the country, Huillard said.” (Reuters, “Vinci eyes Latam motorways, Iran airports for expansion abroad,” 2/5/2016).

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Entrepose is “engaged in talks with the NIOC over South Azadegan [oil field]….” (AzerNews, “Iran discussing South Azadegan oil field with Total,” 1/31/2016).

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“Vinci SA will develop and operate airports in Mashhad and another Iranian city…. ” (Wall Street Journal, “Iran President Visits Europe to Seal Post-Sanctions Deals Worth Billions,” 1/25/2016).

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Entrepose Group is a subsidiary of VINCI Group (Company Website). -- Entrepose has “past and ongoing projects” in Iran. (Entrepose Website, “Locations“).

Yucelboru attended the Iranian Steel Pipe & Tube Conference (the “Conference”) held in Tehran on May 24-25, 2016. (MetalBulletin Events, “Iranian Steel Pipe & Tube Conference”). The Conference purported to offer “a unique opportunity to gain crucial insight into the Iranian market and the networking with leading Iranian companies is not to be missed.”