Today, United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) and Iran180 with New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio launched a new website, IranWatchList.com, and a corresponding consumer action campaign to pressure companies that do business in Iran.
The campaign’s first targets are 12 global automakers that continue to sell vehicles in Iran – and UANI says to Iran’s military – despite the latest round of economic sanctions from the United States and the European Union.
In the view of some, this is a perfect example of the hypocritically bad behavior of global corporations supporting terrorism and repression abroad in the pursuit of profits against the policies of their home governments, whose democratic laws financially protect them and provide for the well being their major stockholders and executives.
The 12 automakers displayed in the Watch List’s “Virtual Showroom” are Fiat, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Renault, Suzuki, Toyota and Volvo. Combined, they sell more than 650,000 vehicles per year in the country, making it the second-largest sector of Iran’s economy, according to UANI. With the exception of Fiat controlled Chrysler, General Motors and Ford are supporting U.S. foreign policy.
“We applaud the Public Advocate for informing NYC consumers that some of the car companies vying for their dollars are doing irresponsible business with the Iranian regime. These automakers are regrettably supporting the regime by serving as a massive source of revenue, and as a means for it to access advanced technologies and products for its military and security forces,” said UANI CEO and former U.S. Ambassador Mark D. Wallace.
UANI has led campaigns to compel automakers to leave Iran including against Karsan, Nissan, Fiat, Mazda, Peugeot and GM. After extensive discussions with UANI, Karsan agreed to end its Iran business.
UANI has developed model legislation, The DRIVE Act, to force auto manufacturers to choose between American taxpayers and the regime. The DRIVE Act requires automakers to certify they are not engaged in any business in Iran, or engaged in the implementation of any agreement with Iranian entities in order to be eligible for U.S. government contracts or financial assistance.
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