Trading

"Hakan Agro DMCC, which already supplies dairy products to Iran, is planning to expand its business in the country to grains, Scott Wellcome, a trader at the Dubai-based company, said in an interview in Geneva." (November 2015)
 

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"Iran is about to open for business, and the world's grain traders are lining up. Food wasn't subject to sanctions, but the rules created enough difficulty to keep out many grain suppliers. Now, with world powers expected to lift restrictions as early as next year, new companies are entering the market... Hakan Agro DMCC, which already supplies dairy products to Iran, is planning to expand its business in the country to grains, Scott Wellcome, a trader at the Dubai-based company, said in an interview in Geneva. Iran could become a 'big hub' for the Middle East and North Africa region and has the land to expand storage facilities, he said."

"Iran is about to open for business, and the world's grain traders are lining up. Food wasn't subject to sanctions, but the rules created enough difficulty to keep out many grain suppliers. Now, with world powers expected to lift restrictions as early as next year, new companies are entering the market... 'When the sanctions came in, you started to see some people shying off and not willing to take the risk anymore," Michel Dumoulin, a trader at Rotterdam-based Nidera BV, said by phone on Thursday... Nidera executives will travel to Iran this week to visit customers, according to Dumoulin... Nidera, majority owned by China's largest food company Cofco Corp., already ships as much as 3 million tons of grain and vegetable oils to Iran a year." (Bloomberg News, "Grain Traders Eye Business in Iran as Sanctions Set to Ease," 11/9/15)

"Bayway's chairman stated that the grain business with Iran is being stopped as the volume was not significant enough for Baway." (8/9/18)

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In June 2017 – “BayWa Company in Iran since sanctions era - Chairman of the German company BayWa said here on Monday that the company entered Iranian market during the imposed sanctions.”

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"Iran is about to open for business, and the world's grain traders are lining up. Food wasn't subject to sanctions, but the rules created enough difficulty to keep out many grain suppliers. Now, with world powers expected to lift restrictions as early as next year, new companies are entering the market. One example: BayWa AG, a German firm that recently shipped Russian grain and South American soybean meal to Iran... BayWa sent an executive to Tehran a week ago as part of a German trade delegation of 100. The Munich-based company plans to ship 250,000 metric tons of grains and oilseeds to the country this quarter." (Bloomberg News, "Grain Traders Eye Business in Iran as Sanctions Set to Ease," 11/9/15) 

Has acted on behalf of the Government of Iran to smuggle U.S. bank notes into Iran; collaborated with Azizullah Asadullah Qulandary, an Afghan national, and Seyed Kamal Yasini to deliver U.S. currency, in violation of U.S. sanctions; Yasini and Hossein Zeidi, both Iranian nationals, had been contracted to convert Iranian government funds and foreign currency into U.S. dollars. As of December 2014, had converted over $250 million in Iranian government assets into U.S. currency; the money was reportedly transported to Tehran from the United Arab Emirates by hand via courier.

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"The United States added nine individuals and entities to its Iran sanctions blacklist in a move condemned Wednesday by Tehran as a 'blatant violation' of goodwill amid long-running nuclear talks. The US Treasury named five men from Iran and elsewhere as well as Dubai-based Belfast General Trading for sanctions violations linked to efforts to support the Islamic republic's acquisition of US currency. It said Belfast General had converted more than $250 million of Iranian government-held currencies into dollar notes which were then delivered to Tehran." (Agence France-Presse, "US adds nine to Iran sanctions blacklist," 12/31/14)

Alibab's 2021 Annual Report filed with the SEC states the following: "SoftBank is one of our substantial shareholders. During fiscal year 2021, SoftBank, through one of its non-U.S. subsidiaries, provided roaming services in Iran through Telecommunications Services Company (MTN Irancell), which is or may be a government-controlled entity. During fiscal year 2021, SoftBank had no gross revenues from these services and no net profit was generated. This subsidiary also provided telecommunications services in the ordinary course of business to accounts affiliated with the Embassy of Iran in Japan. During fiscal year 2021, SoftBank estimates that gross revenues and net profit generated by these services were both under US$12,505. We were not involved in, and did not receive any revenue from, any of these activities. These activities have been conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and they are not sanctionable under U.S. or Japanese law."

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"SoftBank is one of our substantial shareholders. During fiscal year 2019, SoftBank, through one of its non-U.S. subsidiaries, provided roaming services in Iran through Telecommunications Services Company (MTN Irancell), which is or may be a government-controlled entity. During fiscal year 2019, SoftBank had no gross revenues from these services and no net profit was generated. This subsidiary also provided telecommunications services in the ordinary course of business to accounts affiliated with the Embassy of Iran in Japan. During fiscal year 2019, SoftBank estimates that gross revenues and net profit generated by these services were both under US$17,000. We were not involved in, and did not receive any revenue from, any of these activities. These activities have been conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and they are not sanctionable under U.S." (SEC, "Form 20-F," 6/5/2019).

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Alibaba has a website for its Iran Channel.

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"To contain nuclear proliferation as sanctions against Iran are eased, world powers may need help from Alibaba and EBay. United Nations sanctions monitors and government officials suspect Iran has used online marketplaces to make contacts and obtain supplies while building up its nuclear program in defiance of international restrictions over the past decade. Officials and technology executives have struggled to modernize outdated controls that can be bypassed by 21st-century smugglers. While U.S. officials have known since 2007 that Iran was using e-commerce sites, they haven't been able to stamp out illegal procurement, in part because no international body exists to enforce the rules. Indeed, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and EBay Inc. both acknowledged facing problems with some listings on their sites. Alibaba is trying to improve its systems for removing such listings, a company spokeswoman said. EBay spokesman Ryan Moore said his company works with governments and law enforcement officials to increase the effectiveness of its monitoring tools." (Bloomberg, "Nuclear Smugglers Abusing Alibaba Listings Challenge Iran Deal," 5/5/2015)

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"Alibaba has removed listings from its online marketplace for enterprises sanctioned by the US and other countries for their role in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Chinese ecommerce group has hosted listings on its eBay-style websites for companies that have been accused of helping Iran and North Korea procure nuclear and ballistic missile technology... Most recently, the company removed advertisements for Sinotech (Dalian) Carbon & Graphite Manufacturing, which makes graphite electrodes that can be used in ballistic missiles. That group had been designated in April by the US Treasury Department as a front company that has been used to send shipments to Iran. The US Treasury said that the company sold ballistic missile technology to Iran in violation of UN sanctions. It said that it belonged to Chinese national Li Fangwei, who also goes by the English name Karl Lee." (Financial Times, "Alibaba Takes Down Weaponry Listings," 11/14/14)

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"Some factories that have been targeted by sanctions for procuring and producing nuclear-sensitive materials have listings on Alibaba. Machine Sazi Arak, a company that has been sanctioned by the EU, the US and other countries for its work at Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor, is listed as a supplier of boilers, heat exchangers and petrochemical equipment." (Financial Times, "Weapons of Mass Ecommerce," 9/26/14)

According to its Company Website, IPS ’s Dubai-based member company IPS Trade FZE serves as a base point to “deliver materials to its neighbor countries” including Iran. (IPS BV Group Website, “IPS Group: IPS Trade FZE”) 

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“At this week's annual Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Fair in Tehran, a massive event that attracted 600 foreign companies, Lee said she was here to stay…Behrooz Nateghi, of IPS Group BV, a Dutch purchasing company still operating in Iran's petrochemical, oil and gas industries, said the lifting of sanctions would change the business outlook. Attracting ‘the clients we lost in the past few years’ will be the priority, he said.” (AFP, “China may lose out if Iran oil sanctions lifted,” 5/9/14)

“Abbas Nazari, director of international affairs at the Iranian Railways Company, said officials of India's STC will come to Iran next week to pave the way for selling 200,000 tons of rail tracks, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on April 28. On April 20, the Indian Express reported that with the Western nations easing sanctions on Iran, India's biggest steel maker SAIL is all set to sign a definitive agreement to help Tehran set up a railway network project spanning over 15,000 km to connect its major ports and key production centers. Khaleel Rahim, chairman of state-owned trading firm State Trading Corporation (STC) is slated to visitTehran to finalize some of the formalities that could pave the way for steel exports from India.” (Trend, “Iran plans to import 200,000 tons of rail tracks from India,” 4/28/14)

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On July 1st, 2013, STC published a document titled “INVITES EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: For Empanelment of Associate Suppliers for supply of Manufactured Products for export to Iran.” 

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In a July 2013 Corporate Presentation, STC lists Iran as a new market of focus. 

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October 2017 - "The decision of U.S. President Trump has no direct impact on the operations and business development of DF Deutsche Forfait and the trade between the EU and Iran. The international agreement (JCPOA) is a multilateral treaty. All the other JCPOA negotiating partners involved, including Iran, have already stated beforehand that they will adhere to the agreement in case U.S. President Trump should question it. In addition, there are also powerful voices within the administration of the U. S. President and the Republican Party, for example Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense James Mattis or Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Bob Corker, who recommend not to terminate the agreement. Against this background, it is unlikely that the suspended sanctions will be reinstated or that substantial new sanctions will be imposed. As a result, the DF Group does currently not expect any adverse effects on its operations and the trading activities of its business partners with Iran."

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"On the occasion of the EURO FINANCE WEEK in Frankfurt, DF Deutsche Forfait Group and the Iranian Saman Bank signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a cooperation in the foreign trade finance sector. The planned collaboration primarily covers the supply of financing solutions for the exchange of goods between German and international exporters and their Iranian trading partners. In addition, the parties intend to offer consulting services to clients wishing to establish trade relationships with Iranian business partners." (November 24, 2016).

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On its Company Website, DF Deutsche Forfait AG lists a U.S. subsidiary, "DF Deutsche Forfait Americas Inc."

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“Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced actions targeting a diverse set of entities and individuals located around the world for evading U.S. sanctions against Iran, aiding Iranian nuclear and missile proliferation, and supporting terrorism.  These actions reflect the United States’ sustained commitment to continue enforcing our existing sanctions as the P5+1 and Iran work toward a comprehensive solution to address the international community’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. ’The global targets designated today play key roles in supporting Iran’s nuclear program and active support for terrorism.  The United States has made clear that as it implements the Joint Plan of Action, contingent on Iran satisfying its own commitments, the overwhelming majority of sanctions remain in effect and will continue to be vigorously enforced,’ said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. Today’s actions target entities and individuals located across the world, operating in Turkey, Spain, Germany, Georgia, Afghanistan, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Liechtenstein...German firm DF Deutsche Forfait Aktiengesellschaft (Deutsche Forfait) and Deutsche Forfait board member Ulrich Wippermann facilitated oil deals in circumvention of oil sanctions for NIOC, an entity determined to be an agent or affiliate of the IRGC and designated under E.O. 13382.  DF Deutsche Forfait Americas Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Deutsche Forfait.  NIOC was designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 in November 2012 for providing or attempting to provide, financial, material, or other support for and services in support of the IRGC." (U.S. Department of Treasury, “Treasury Targets Networks Linked To Iran,” 2/6/14)

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"The rising costs of doing business with Iran have forced long-standing regional suppliers out of business, according to DF Deutsche Forfait AG, DE6.XE -2.93%   which provides financial services for EU companies trading with Iran. An official at the company said that some German exporters of medical equipment have recently had to cancel trades with Iran after being unable to find banks to service them... DF Deutsche Forfait started such services for Iranian trade in 2000 and says it is still active in this market" (The Wall Street Journal, "Willing Banks Find Profits in Legal Trade With Iran," 4/8/12)