Withdrawn

"Geneva-based agricultural trader Afegra - an exporter of cereals to Iran until last year - is parting company with its managing director and its trading team, sources familiar with the matter said. Gert Bosscher, a former Glencore trader, has resigned as managing director, and a team of at least six traders will be made redundant this summer at Afegra, which was launched in 2010 and specialises in wheat, barley, corn and rice, the sources said. The company, which is privately owned, has issued no public statement. The sources said Afegra had lost a vital source of income after encountering difficulties with obtaining payment from Iran for agricultural deliveries, which were at least partly a result of Western financial sanctions aimed at Iran's nuclear programme... 'They (Afegra) were stuck between a rock and a hard place. They had the choice between making a delivery and not getting paid or making costly demurrage (shipping) payments,' said a senior source at a trading house. The departure of Afegra's trading team also points to the difficulties of small traders in competing with large, integrated rivals such as the so-called ABCD majors (Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill and Louis Dreyfus )... 'If you're small, you have to have some sort of foothold to be successful, either in the producing country or the destination market. They had a foothold in the destination market, Iran, but that didn't work out,' the source said... Afegra is still registered in Geneva, and the sources said it would continue to exist, although details of its future strategy were not immediately clear." (Reuters, "Swiss Firm Afegra Cuts Trading After Losing Iran Cereals Business," 6/20/2013)

 "TSL quits Iran" (July 2, 2013)
 

--

Lists the Bandar-Abbas port in Iran on its online vessel schedule: TS Lines

--

“Hong Kong’s TS Lines has ended its Iranian service by removing Bandar Abbas from its China-India-Middle East loop (CME) and its India-Middle East Express service (IMX)… Currently, three vessels, including the 3,534-TEU Georg Schulte, the 2,908-TEU Cape and the 2,546-TEU TS Jakarta, are deployed on CME string, requiring six weeks for the whole voyage. TS Lines will shift the 2,959-TEU Hammonia Africum and Hammonia Ionium from the IMX to the CME by the end of July.  The CME was the last non-Iranian long haul service calling in Iran. This leaves Iran-based Hafiz Darya Shipping Lines (HDS) as the only carrier to operate the Far East-Middle East service with Iranian call by a number of 5,100- to 6,500-TEU ships. Dubai-based feeders continue to serve Iran.” (The Shipping Tribune, “TS Lines Drops Iranian Service, Leaving HDS the Only Carrier Serving Iran,” 7/3/13)

Subsidiary of Symantec.

--

The French investigative publication Reflets has discovered that the American company Blue Coat is currently providing the government of Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad and that of the Islamic Republic of Iran with software to filter and spy on their countries’ Internet activities in contravention of U.S. law. (Daily Dot, "U.S. company allegedly caught aiding Syria and Iran in censorship efforts," 12/11/2015).

--

"Although Blue Coat tools have been identified in Syria in the past, the new research indicates that the government of President Bashar al-Assad has more of the monitoring devices than previously known... Experts say that in Syria, Blue Coat’s tools have been used to censor Web sites and monitor the communications of dissidents, activists and journalists. In Iran and Sudan, it remains unclear exactly how the technologies are being used, but experts say the tools could empower repressive governments to spy on opponents... Blue Coat promotes itself as a leading provider of Web security and management. According to its Web site, it has 15,000 government and corporate customers worldwide... Some technology experts, however, have argued that because Blue Coat’s tools have various uses, they fall into regulatory gaps and are thus not subject to certain export restrictions. 'The only thing stopping the export of human-rights-abusing equipment to a country like Sudan is the blanket restriction on exports under the sanctions program,' said Collin Anderson, an independent consultant on the Blue Coat report, which is to be released Tuesday. 'There are no controls in place right now on equipment that can also be used to violate human rights.' David Murphy, Blue Coat’s chief operating officer and president, said the company takes reports about its products in countries under U.S. trade embargoes very seriously. The firm, he noted, is cooperating with a U.S. investigation into how a reseller managed to get the devices into Syria on a few occasions in 2010 and 2011... Blue Coat has attracted particular scrutiny from the Citizen Lab, whose latest report marks the third time it has found the firm’s technology in countries with governments linked to human rights abuses. In its investigation, the Citizen Lab focused on two Blue Coat devices: ProxySG and PacketShaper. The tools can be used for Web filtering and traffic analysis and can help users view certain types of encrypted traffic, capabilities that are useful both to network security technicians and spy agencies... Blue Coat’s filtering tools were first discovered in Syria in 2011 by a 'hacktivist' group, prompting a Commerce Department probe and, in April, a $2.8 million civil fine for one of the firm’s distributors in Dubai... In a statement to The Post, Blue Coat said, 'Even when our products are unlawfully diverted to embargoed countries without our knowledge, we use various techniques to limit our products from receiving updates or support from our servers or support personnel.' Researchers said that blocking ability suggests the company can identify the location of its tools; Blue Coat declined to comment... The Citizen Lab said it detected the presence of Blue Coat’s devices on several networks, including one belonging to the Information Technology Co., which is partially owned by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The elite unit is believed to be heavily involved in Iran’s censorship of the Internet. In Sudan, the Citizen Lab identified the Blue Coat devices on the networks of commercial Internet service provider Canar Telecom... The Citizen Lab said it has found Blue Coat devices in at least a dozen other countries that have poor human rights records, although those countries are not necessarily subject to U.S. sanctions... Blue Coat, the latest report noted, showed an ability 'to turn principles into practice' this year when it removed the 'lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender' category from its Web filter after civil-society groups raised concerns over the discriminatory nature of such a category and its use by the Defense Department and other institutions" (Washington Post, "Web Monitoring Devices Made by U.S. Firm Blue Coat Detected in Iran, Sudan," 07/08/2013)

--

According to its Annual Report filed with the SEC for fiscal year 2013: "Ashland, indirectly through a subsidiary, owns 50% of the equity interests in ASK Chemicals GmbH (ASK), and Ashland has the right to appoint, and has appointed, two out of the five directors on the ASK supervisory board. For the period commencing October 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013, two subsidiaries of ASK sold granulate, coatings and hot top products to certain Iranian entities. Based on information available to Ashland, Ashland has reason to believe that some or all of these entities are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Government of Iran. The gross revenues and net profits attributable to such sales during the six months ended March 31, 2013, were approximately €715,000 and €75,000, respectively and during the three months ended June 30, 2013, were approximately €179,500 and €12,700, respectively.

In March 2013, the ASK supervisory board unanimously resolved to terminate and refrain from engaging in, and to cause all of ASK’s subsidiaries to terminate and refrain from engaging in, any transactions or activities with Iran, including transactions or activities prohibited by, or requiring disclosure under, ITRSHRA. Accordingly, ASK and all of its subsidiaries have terminated all business with or in Iran. None of Ashland or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including ASK and its subsidiaries, which may be considered affiliates of Ashland, has any intention to continue this activity or engage in any activity prohibited by, or requiring disclosure under, ITRSHRA."

--

"Ashland Inc. (ASH), the biggest producer of specialty papermaking chemicals, said a 50-50 joint venture with Switzerland's Clariant AG (CLN) sold products to Iran without the approval of the U.S. government. Units of the ASK Chemicals GmbH venture sold "granulate, coatings and hot top products" from Oct. 1 through March 1 to entities that may be owned or controlled by the Iranian government, Covington, Kentucky-based Ashland said today in its 10-Q filing. The products generated 715,000 euros ($934,000) of sales and 75,000 euros of profit, Ashland said. The products are used in metal casting, said Gary Rhodes, an Ashland spokesman. ASK's supervisory board unanimously voted in March to end transactions with Iran and ASK is terminating all business in the country, Ashland said in the filing." (Bloomberg, "Ashland Says Joint Venture Sold Products to Iran," 5/2/13)

Photos have been published of Palfinger cranes being used by the Iranian regime for public executions.

--

"After the revelation that its cranes were being used for executions in Iran, Austrian company Palfinger has communicated to United Against a Nuclear Iran (UANI) that it is no longer doing business in the country. In fact, the company hadn't been doing business in Iran for some time. In a letter sent by  Palfinger's CEO, Herbert Ortner, to UANI in response to its February appeal that the company withdraw from Iran,  Ortner made it clear that Palfinger had made attempts to cut ties with Iran since 2011. 'As a result of the UANI campaign, among other reasons, we have terminated our contract with the Iranian dealer as well as any contact with Iran two years ago,' he wrote. However, Ortner didn't rule out the possibility that Palfinger products could still turn up in Iran. 'Palfinger products are mostly being sold through a network of independent dealers worldwide,' he wrote. 'Therefore we cannot exclude that via dealers or via secondary markets in which Palfinger is not active our products are made available to Iran. Furthermore, there are also numerous older Palfinger products in Iran, something we cannot change.' Ortner also expressed his dismay at learning of the atrocities Iran was committing with his company's products: 'I would hereby like to express that we strictly condemn all behavior by the Iranian regime, which violates human rights - particularly these executions.' UANI has made a concerted effort to have crane manufacturers operating in Iran be held responsible for how the Islamic Republic uses their machines." (The Algemeiner, "Company Whose Cranes Were Used for Public Hangings Withdraws From Iran," 3/7/13)

--

Palfinger partners with Iranian companies such as Pasargad Petrogas, and Palfinger apparently attended the International Maritime Exhibition held in Tehran in January 2013. (Palfinger Website, "Exhibitions 2013")

"The Spanish satellite company Hispasat has stopped airing Press TV and Hispan TV as of Friday December 21 and ordered Overon, another satellite company, to follow suit. Hispasat’s removal of the Islamic Republic state channels comes after a similar move by the French company Eutelsat, which also owns part of Hispasat... Iran says that Hispan TV is officially registered in Spain and has been operating under the media regulations of that country." (Radio Zamaneh, "Sanctions cause problems for Iranian channels," 12/22/2012)

"Malaysian airline AirAsia has suspended flights to three destinations in Thailand, Philippines and Iran. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tehran will be suspended effective April 23. The last flight to the destination will depart on April 20." (Financial Tribune, "AirAsia Suspends Three Routes," 2/20/2018). 

--

In January 2017, AIRASIA X, the low-cost arm of AirAsia added more flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur six months after resuming its flight to the capital of Iran. AirAsia resumed its direct flight to Tehran on June 21, 2016.

--

"Foreign airlines, including Malaysia's AirAsia and Britain's BMI, are ceasing services to Iran amid its mounting economic problems spurred on by Western sanctions. AirAsia announced it was suspending its four flights a week between Kuala Lumpur and Tehran from next Sunday because of challenging business conditions, notably the 'volatility of the Iranian currency.'" (The Daily Star, "Airlines stop Iran flights as currency crisis bites," 10/8/2012)

Crowe Horwath confirmed its status as a "Corresponding Member" in Iran in the April 2010 issue of the International Accounting Bulletin.  

--

Crowe Horwath lists partner firms in Iran on its company website. ("Our Locations," Company website)

--

"RSM, a UK-based firm, and Crowe Horwath of the US have joined Grant Thornton, one of the second-tier international accountancy firms, in leaving Iran after coming under US political pressure... RSM said it would cease working with Dayarayan Auditing & Financial Services, while Crowe Horwath said it would cut ties with Hoshiyar/Behmand & Co." (Financial Times, "Three accounting firms pull out of Iran," 4/26/2013) 

RSM International confirmed its status as a "Corresponding Member" in Iran in the April 2010 issue of the International Accounting Bulletin.  

--

RSM lists a corresponding firm in Iran on its company website. ("Contact Us," Company Website)

--

"Advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) said it has succeeded in getting global accounting firm network RSM International to cut ties with an Iranian firm. Washington, D.C.-based UANI said RSM agreed to end its relationship with Dayarayan Auditing & Financial Services Firm in Tehran as of April 30. Chicago-based McGladrey, formerly headquartered in Minneapolis, is RSM's only member firm in the United States. UANI CEO Mark Wallace, a former ambassador to the United Nations, asked RSM and McGladrey to sever the network's relationship with Dayarayan in March. He applauded RSM's decision Friday." (Minneapolis/St.Paul Business Journal, "McGladrey's accounting network will drop Iranian firm," 4/26/2013) 

--

"RSM, a UK-based firm, and Crowe Horwath of the US have joined Grant Thornton, one of the second-tier international accountancy firms, in leaving Iran after coming under US political pressure... RSM said it would cease working with Dayarayan Auditing & Financial Services, while Crowe Horwath said it would cut ties with Hoshiyar/Behmand & Co." (Financial Times, "Three accounting firms pull out of Iran," 4/26/2013) 

--

"Accounting firm McGladrey and global network RSM International are under pressure from a group that has successfully urged major companies to cut ties with Iranian partners. Washington, D.C.-based United Against Nuclear Iran asked RSM International CEO Jeans Stephens and McGladrey CEO Joe Adams to sever their business relationship with Dayarayan Auditing & Financial Services Firm in Tehran. RSM is an international network of accounting firms. McGladrey is RSM's sole United States member firm, and Dayarayan is RSM's the sole Iranian correspondent firm (RSM explains the difference between member and correspondent firms here.)... 'RSM should not enable the provision of such vital professional and financial services to the Iranian government, sanctioned entities and foreign companies in Iran at a time when the international community is working to economically isolate the regime in response to its nuclear program, support for terrorism and gross human rights violations,' wrote UANI CEO Mark Wallace, a former ambassador to the United Nations, in a letter to the chief executives at RSM and McGladrey. 'RSM should also consider how its Iran business dealings could affect its extensive business in the United States,' he continued, in reference to Chicago-based McGladrey, which until recently was headquartered in Minneapolis. I've asked McGladrey for the firm's take but have yet to get a comment. RSM couldn't be reached before publication. UANI spokesman Nathan Carleton said his group has been in contact with the accounting firms. 'We look forward to discussing this matter with RSM and McGladrey, and we are hopeful they will take the responsible action of ending their Iran exposure,' he said." (Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, "McGladrey, RSM urged to cut ties with Iranian accounting firm," 3/29/13)

--

"The not-for-profit, non-partisan, advocacy group has written to the CEOs of Grant Thornton and RSM International and their counterparts in the US expressing concern about their 'apparent business dealings' with the country... In RSM’s case, he points out that the 2010 client list of its Iranian correspondent firm, Dayarayan Auditing and Financial Services Firm, included Iranian government bodies, energy firms and foreign companies. 'Among these clients are many sanctioned entities, such as the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, the National Iranian Tanker Company, and Datak Telecom,' he says. 'UANI strongly believes that RSM should not enable the provision of such vital professional and financial services to the Iranian government, sanctioned entities and foreign companies in Iran at a time when the international community is working to economically isolate the regime in response to its nuclear program, support for terrorism and gross human rights violations.'" (Economia, "RSM and GT taken to task over Iran," 3/28/13) 

Moore Stephens confirmed its status as a "Full Member" in Iran in the April 2010 issue of the International Accounting Bulletin.  

--

Moore Stephens lists an office in Iran on its company website. ("Locations," Company Website)