EU to Defy US Sanctions, Stay in Business with Iran

Despite the fact that US President Donald Trump recently announced the US’ exit from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, his European allies are not in the mood to follow suit, instead reaffirming their commitment to the agreement.

Washington’s decision to abandon the deal does not affect US business, but the introduction of “secondary sanctions” against Tehran would hurt European giants operating on Iranian soil.

In response to Washington’s move, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the 28-member alliance would amend its Blocking Statute, a document which bans companies from the European Union from complying with US-imposed sanctions, giving priority and protecting businesses.

While some companies have chosen to abandon the Iranian market to comply with US restrictions and not face sanctions, others have not yet decided what to do, hoping perhaps that the European Union will find a way to circumvent Washington’s limitations.

The following list includes numerous European companies operating in Iran despite US sanctions:

France (38) : Accor; ADP; ADYA FOILS; Airbus (aircraft builder can leave Iran very soon); Alliance Export; ALSTOM; Auto Chassis International Pars; Avicenne Gerontologic; Balmoral Intl SAS; Bel Rouzaneh Dairy; Boeing France (aircraft builder may leave Iran very soon); Bureau Veritas; CBE Group; CGG; Cohen Amir-Aslani; Yogurt; Eiger International; Engie; Faurecia Azin Pars Seating; Gaz de France (GDF SUEZ); GEA; Golden Group; Hyper Market Maf Pars; Intertek International Limited (SAI); Negotium Partners; Nexans Co .; PSA Group; Renault; RGG Capital; Schneider Electric Co. (Telemecanique Iran); SNCF; Suez Environnement; Thales; Total (oil and gas giant is abandoning Iran); Vecteur Cast; Vinci Technologies; Vision France Consulting; Well Services of Iran (WSI – Schlumberger Methods).

Germany (35): AIOTEC GmbH; Alldos Eichler GmbH; Allianz (international financial services provider leaving Iran); Bada AG; Bayer Parsian AG; BASF Iran (PJS) Co .; BASF’s Wintershall; Butting GmbH (CamalAmiran Co.); COMMERZBANK; Eisenmann Co .; Eltherm GmbH; Evonik Iran; Ferrostaal; Germanischer Lloyd (GL); HERRENKNECHT; ILF Consulting Engineers Pars (PJSC); KOBOLD Messring GmbH Iran; KROHNE Iran; KSB Aktiengesellschaft; Linde Co .; Minimax GmbH & Co. KG, Iran Branch Office; Minova CarboTech Iran Branch; Nivea; PM Piping (Project Materials Group); Regalbuto Steel GmbH; Rieckermann GmbH (Iran Liaison Office); Salzgitter Mannesmann International Tehran; Siemens Co. (technology giant is abandoning the Iranian market to comply with US regulations); TGE Gas Engineering GmbH; TUV NORD Iran (RWTUV Iran); Uhde GmbH Iran Branch; Volkswagen; WIKA Instrumentation Pars Kish Ltd .; Wintershall Iran Holding GmbH.

Italy (21) : AGIP; AlItalia; Ansaldo Energia SpA; CONDOTTE D’ACQUA; Danieli Cina (steel maker completed work in Iran); Edison International; Enel; Eni (energy company is leaving Iran); Ferrovie dello Stato; Fiat-Chrysler; FINCANTIERI; Fincantieri SpA; GEOLOG International BV – Iran; ITINERA; Kinetics Technology (KT); Saipem; Seli; SSE SpA Iran Branch; Tecnimont SpA; Tectubi Raccordi SpA; TELECOMA ITALIA GROUP.

United Kingdom (16) : Atlantic International Operation Limited; BG – British Gas Iran; BHP Billiton; BP Iran Ltd .; Cameron Integrated Services (South Well Drilling Engineering Co., SWDEC); Daimler; Energy Deployment Co. Ltd. (EDC); Euroinvest; Flowstream International Ltd .; KBC Iran Office; Lloyd’s Register Group Ltd; Lloyd’s of London (insurance market may stop cooperating with Iran in the short term); Pergas International Consortium; Royal Dutch Shell; UK P & I (Mutual Association of Steam Ship Guarantees May Leave Iran Soon); Welding Alloys Group (Aliaj Joosh Iran).

Switzerland (8) : ABB (PJSC); BUCHER; Burckhardt Compression Tehran SSK; MSC BASEL (cruise giant may soon end cooperation with Iran); SGS Iran Limited; Sulzer Co .; Weatherford; ZURICH INSURANCE.

Spain (7) : Esproenko Pars; JC Valves; Sercobe Co .; Star Petroleum Middle East; TAIM WESER Iran Office; Tubacex Service Solutions Pars (TSS Iran); Tubos Reunidos Group.

Denmark (6) : Ecco; Haldor Topsoe; LEO Pharma; Maersk (container transport company is leaving Iran); Novo Nordisk; Welltec Oilfield Services Iran (Touse Mohandesi Fanavari Chah Mayadin).

Norway (6) : Barwil; Fugro-Geoteam AS; Hydro; ROXAR Norway; Saga Energy (energy company is leaving Iran); SPT Group Norway.

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Czech Republic (6) : Bresson Energy; Energo-Pro; Moravia Steel; Ostroj; Solek Holding; SOR Libchavy.

Netherlands (5) : AkzoNobel; BAF Valves Pars; ENI Iran BV; Royal Dutch Shell; Zagroz Equipment Engineering Co.

Sweden (4) : Alfa Laval Iran Co. Ltd .; Atlas Copco Iran; Camfil Farr Co .; NYNAS.

Austria (2) : Christof Industries – Geety Sanaat Mayestan Co. (GSM); Oberbank; OMV

Finland (2) : Metso Iran (Garno Group); Styrochem of Finland.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) : ABE Power Co.

Poland (1) : PGNiG (national oil company suspended a project in Iran).

Romania (1) : Robust Star Group.

Cyprus (1) : Sezzol Group.

As Fort Russ News has previously analyzed, the dispute between Washington and Brussels over the Iran deal is a sign of a greater rift in the Atlanticist project. As Washington attempts to adjust its imperial project, Europe is increasingly weary of the consequences of trailing US geopolitics.