DeMediacratic Nation: Iran and the Greater War on Terror

Showing posts with label Iran and the Greater War on Terror. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Israeli leaders must be brought to justice

News from IRNA (w/BU snippets):

"Iran is mulling an international demand by the Organization of the Islamic Conference to the International Criminal Court to bring to dock the Israeli leaders for their crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza."

Mulling? Does IRNA mean they’re “mulling” when to demand what is always pre-prepared?

"ICC is the United Nations Court specialized in war crimes."

Defined for the “common” Iranian, that is none too familiar with this “tool” perhaps, at least its proper use (requires alternate universe that UN fits appropriately into; see fiction)

"President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday that Israeli leaders must be brought to justice for the war crimes they have committed in Gaza."

Yes sir, right after he is brought to justice for opening his mouth.

"Addressing a large group of local people of the city of Zahedan, capital of the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, he said, Israel which was created with the motto of occupation of all regional territories, is faced with a deadend."

Hmmm, seems to be a lot of difficulty these days for people regarding national mottos.

"He regretted that the humanity is currently witnessing the worst crimes, oppression and discrimination."

…imagined….

"Briefing the audience on the developments in the occupied lands in the past 60 years, he added that 60 years of massacre, violence, violation of people's rights, terror, siege, and humiliation of the Palestinian people and all regional nations are the performance of the Zionist regime in Palestine."

And what a “briefing” that must have been; edification is lacking in Persia as well (haven't they learned the their lessons since the "revolution?"). Not fair on my part, they're just likely in the dark on the latest version.

"Condemning inaction of international bodies toward the Israeli crimes against humanity in Gaza, Ahmadinejad asked, "If the United Nations belongs to all nations why it does not issue a statement against Israel?"
He urged the UN Security Council to fulfill its commitments towards the world nations."

“urged the UN Security Council…” I’ve been wondering about just that same thing myself for most the the UNs existence (at least for as long as I’ve been aware of it)

"Addressing the leaders of Arab states, the president said, "The era of the Zionist regime has ended. The regime is going to collapse soon." The world should know that the logic of oppression and crime has failed, he said, adding that oppression can not be continued through killing and violence."

However, in that vain the Iranian president and mullahs will nonetheless continue with their “logic of oppression and crime,” as it hasn’t failed for them yet.

"President Ahmadinejad further called on the Arab League to move and take a positive step towards restoration of the rights of the Palestinian nation."

….confused here….aren’t these the “rights” that they voted Hamas into power for?

"He also urged the Organization of Islamic Conference not to let the Israeli leaders continue with their war crimes in Gaza."

One supposes the “urging” will continue until perhaps a “war crime” is committed by Israel.

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Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Iran's Timeline of Terror

In following the link this morning from RCP to Thomas Jocelyn's article at The Weekly Standard, "Sy Hersh's Overactive Imagination," which in and of itself is very interesting; I followed the link at the end of the article to his essay published September 11, 2007 at The Claremont Institute.

"Iran's Proxy War Against America, (PDF)" covers the evidence of Iranian links to al Qaeda and other terrorist groups regardless of their Sunni, Shiite or Palestinian sympathies. These essay itself is a very interesting and well thought out product that deserves attention and turns the conventional intelligence, government and media wisdom on its ear.

Do, at some point take the time to read it. You don't have to agree with everything within its pages, but should at the least use it as consideration for thinking outside the box when comparing claims of this nature with the overly cocksure attitude of the media mindset and what might really be.

Included is an appendix of Iran's Timeline of Terror, which aside from the dots that connect them, makes for a laundry list of reasons to make one wonder what are we waiting for?

November 4, 1979

Fifty-two American citizens are taken hostage by “students” loyal to Ayatollah Khomeini. They are held for more than a year, until January 20, 1981. The kidnappings are part of the Iranian revolution, which serves as a model for Sunni terrorist groups like Ayman al-Zawahiri’s Egyptian Islamic Jihad.

April 18, 1983

Iran’s master terrorist, Imad Mugniyah, orchestrates the first significant Islamist suicide attack against America: the bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. Establishing a modus operandi for terrorists in the years to come, the attacker utilizes a van packed with explosives.

October 23, 1983

Using massive truck bombs, Hezbollah’s suicide bombers simultaneously attack the U.S. Marine Barracks and a housing complex for French Paratroopers in Beirut, Lebanon. Al-Qaeda would later adopt simultaneous suicide bombings as its preferred method for committing attacks.

December 12, 1983

Iranian-backed terrorists bomb the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait. A close relative of Imad Mugniyah is convicted by a Kuwaiti court and sentenced to death for his role in the bombing. Other attackers,
also supported by Iran, are imprisoned. The terrorists come to be known as the “Kuwait 17” or “Dawa 17.” 75 iran’s proxy war against america

March 16, 1984

William Buckley, the CIA’s station chief in Beirut, is kidnapped and later tortured-to-death by Imad Mugniyah’s Hezbollah. Buckley’s kidnapping is one in a series of Hezbollah’s kidnappings from the early 1980s through the early 1990s. Dozens of Americans are kidnapped and Hezbollah frequently demands an exchange for the Kuwait 17. Hezbollah’s kidnappings lead to the biggest scandal of President Ronald Reagan’s tenure, the Iran-Contra affair, after the Reagan administration agrees to exchange arms for the hostages.

September 20, 1984

Hezbollah terrorists strike the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut with a truck bomb.

December 3, 1984

Mugniyah’s operatives hijack Kuwait Airways Flight 221. The hijackers attempt to barter for the release of the Kuwait 17.

June 14, 1985

Mugniyah’s terrorists hijack TWA Flight 847. Once again, the hijackers attempt to barter for the release of the Kuwait 17. When the hijackers’ demands are denied, they beat and kill a U.S. Navy serviceman, Robert Dean Stethem, who happened to be on the flight. Incredibly, Germany granted parole to one of the hijackers in December 2005.

1990

According to Ali Mohamed, a top al-Qaeda operative in U.S. custody, Ayman al-Zawahiri’s Egyptian Islamic Jihad partners with Iran in a planned coup attempt in Egypt. Tehran trains EIJ terrorists for the coup attempt, which is ultimately aborted. Iran also pays al-Zawahiri $2 million for sensitive information concerning 76 national security studies the Egyptian Government’s plans to raid several islands in the Persian Gulf.

1991

Iran and Sudan, then the world’s only Sunni Islamist states, forge a strategic alliance. They begin to jointly export terrorism throughout the world.

April 1991

Hassan al-Turabi hosts the first Popular Arab Islamic Conference in Sudan. The conference provides a forum for disparate forces in the Middle East who oppose American presence in the region to come together. Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Iraqi and Iranian representatives all attend the meeting.

February 26, 1993

Terrorists connected to al-Qaeda and the global terror network bomb the World Trade Center using a rental truck packed with explosives. The bombers’ colleagues plot a follow-on attack against landmarks in the NYC area. There is no known evidence that Iran had a hand in these events. It is clear, however, that several of the plotters had ties to Hassan al-Turabi’s Sudan. Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, the spiritual leader of the two leading Egyptian terrorist groups (both of which will join al- Qaeda) and who was living in the New York metropolitan area, is later convicted for his involvement in the attacks. Reports surface that he and his organization received financial assistance from Iran.

1993

According to Ali Mohamed, Imad Mugniyah and Osama bin Laden meet in Sudan. Bin Laden expresses his desire to model al- Qaeda after Hezbollah. In particular, bin Laden expresses interest in Mugniyah’s bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in 1983 77 iran’s proxy war against america and similar attacks. They agree to work together against America and the West.

1993

According to Jamal al-Fadl, an al-Qaeda operative in U.S. custody, bin Laden meets a leading Iranian sheikh in Sudan. The purpose of the meeting is to put aside any differences between their competing brands of Islam in order to come together against their common enemy: the West. The meeting is just the first of several between bin Laden and Iran’s spiritual leaders.

1993

Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps train al- Qaeda’s terrorists in camps in Sudan, Lebanon and Iran. Among the terrorists trained are some of bin Laden’s most trusted lieutenants and al-Qaeda’s future leaders.

1993

Egypt and Algeria cut off diplomatic ties with Iran. Both nations accuse Iran and Sudan of supporting Sunni terrorism, including terrorist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda. Egypt will blame Iran for supporting both the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Group throughout the 1990’s.

November 13, 1995

Two bombs are detonated, nearly simultaneously, at the Saudi National Guard training facility in Riyadh, killing five Americans. The suspects are captured and confess to being inspired by Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden denies responsibility, but praises the attack. It is likely al-Qaeda’s first terrorist attack inside the Saudi Kingdom. 78 national security studies

November 19, 1995

An al-Qaeda suicide bomber destroys the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan. The CIA’s Bob Baer later learns that Mugniyah’s deputy assisted al-Qaeda in the attack and that one of bin Laden’s top terrorists remained in contact with Mugniyah’s offi ce months afterwards.

May 1996

Bin Laden is expelled from Sudan, but the 9/11 Commission reports that “intelligence indicates the persistance of contacts” between al-Qaeda and Iran even after al-Qaeda’s relocation to Afghanistan. Bin Laden and al-Qaeda maintain an ongoing presence in Sudan, despite not being “formally” welcome.

June 21 - 23, 1996

Tehran hosts a summit for the leading Sunni and Shiite terrorist groups. It is announced that the terrorists will continue to focus on U.S. interests thoughout the region. Mugniyah, bin Laden, and a leading member of the EIJ reportedly forge the “Committee of Three,” under the leadership of Iran’s intelligence chief, to focus their joint efforts against American targets.

June 25, 1996

Hezbollah terrorists, operating under the direction of senior Iranian officials, bomb the Khobar Towers apartment complex in Saudi Arabia. Contemporaneous reports by both the State Department and the CIA note that al-Qaeda is also suspected of playing a role. The 9/11 Commission would later find “indirect evidence” of al-Qaeda’s involvement. The evidence includes intelligence indicating that al-Qaeda was planning a similar operation in the months prior and that bin Laden was congratulated by other al-Qaeda operatives, including Ayman al-Zawahiri, shortly after the attack. 79 iran’s proxy war against america

July 1996

According to Bob Baer, the Egyptian Islamic Group—an ally of bin Laden’s al-Qaeda—is in contact with Mugniyah.

1996

According to Bob Baer, there is “incontrovertible evidence” of a meeting between bin Laden and a representative of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS).

August 7, 1998

Al-Qaeda’s suicide bombers simultaneously destroy the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. It is al-Qaeda’s most spectacular attack prior to 9/11. The attack is clearly modeled on Hezbollah’s attacks in the early 1980s. Indeed, the al-Qaeda terrorists responsible were trained by Hezbollah in the early 1990s. There is evidence that Iran also provided explosives used in the attack.

October - November 2000

Imad Mugniyah and his lieutenants personally escort several of the 9/11 muscle hijackers out of Saudi Arabia on flights to Beirut and Iran. In all, eight to ten of the hijackers travel through Iran on the way to 9/11.

December 2000

Ramzi Binalshibh, al-Qaeda’s key point man for the 9/11 plot, applies for visa at the Iranian Embassy in Berlin. His visa application is approved.

January 31, 2001

Ramzi Binalshibh arrives at Tehran International airport. He does not return to Germany until February 28, 2001. The purpose of his trip to Iran remains a mystery. The 9/11 Commission does not mention Binalshibh’s trip to Iran. 80 national security studies

Early September 2001

Binalshibh flees to Iran shortly before the 9/11 attacks.

September 11, 2001

Nineteen al-Qaeda hijackers execute al-Qaeda’s largest operation to date, killing nearly 3000 Americans. Many of the details surrounding the plot, including who financed the attack, remain a mystery.

October 2001

According to a high-level Taliban detainee at Gitmo, Iran offers the Taliban Government assistance in retreating from Afghanistan.

October 2001

Numerous press reports indicate that Iran aids the retreat of hundreds of al-Qaeda and Taliban members from Afghanistan. Some al-Qaeda operatives enjoy safehaven in Iran to this day. Among them is Said al-Adel, who is reportedly the third highest ranking member of al-Qaeda and was trained by Hezbollah during the early 1990s, and Saad bin Laden, Osama’s heir apparent.

April 11, 2002

Al-Qaeda carries out the first attack ordered by bin Laden since 9/11: a suicide bomber destroys a synagogue in Tunisia, killing nineteen people. According to NBC News, Saad bin Laden contacted the cell responsible for the attack from his safehaven in Iran. Suleiman Abu Ghaith, bin Laden’s spokesman, also claims al-Qaeda’s responsibility for the attack from his abode in Iran.

End of 2002 - Spring 2003

According to former Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet, senior al-Qaeda leaders discuss the acquisition of nuclear weapons from their safe haven in Iran. In fact, al-Qaeda’s “nuclear 81 iran’s proxy war against america chief,” Abdel al-Aziz al-Masri, is one of many senior terrorists living in Iran.

May 12, 2003

Under orders from Saif al-Adel and Saad bin Laden, who are operating from Iran, al-Qaeda’s terrorists simultaneously strike three separate housing complexes in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Another al- Qaeda agent thought to be responsible for the attack flees to Iran before he can be captured.

May 16, 2003

One dozen al-Qaeda bombers attack several targets in Casablanca, Morocco. Saad bin Laden, living in Iran, is reportedly in contact with the cell shortly before the attack.

2004 – present

Iran supplies advanced IED technology to the insurgents in Iraq. There is growing evidence of Iranian support for both Sunni and Shiite insurgency groups in Iraq. Iran continues to harbor senior al-Qaeda leaders as the terrorist network reorganizes.

January 20, 2007

IRGC and Hezbollah terrorists kill five American soldiers in Karbala, Iraq

January 2007 – present

Numerous IRGC and Hezbollah terrorists, who are responsible for arming and training terrorist groups in Iraq, are captured by American and Iraqi forces. 82 national security studies.

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Thursday, October 04, 2007

International Forum of News Agencies Coalition for Peace

"The Iranain nation is an exemplary one in the world and if they are not present in the world scenes, then others will make decisions for them.” - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Two new links are now provided at the Islamic Republic News Agency; one links to the “AMIA Case,” the other is the “International Forum of News Agencies Coalition for Peace.”

Of the AMIA Case:

"Two Jewish centers in Argentine, including the buildings of Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) and Delegation of Israeli Argentine Associations (DAIA) were destroyed in a bomb explosion on July 18, 1994 leaving 85 people dead and more than 250 others injured."

The blame was placed at the feet of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Very long story short the explosion was a “pre-planned conspiracy by international Zionism and Argentine agents,” according to this very informative link from IRNA. Whether it's related to Israel or two skyscrapers in New York it is always a "conspiracy."

The attitude strikes one as not too peaceful, which does not share in the harmony inherent in the second link of note which is to the “International Forum of News Agencies Coalition for Peace” or IFNA. According to the site it is or they are:

“awaiting your kind cooperation in sending us news stories and articles related to “peace, conflict-resolutions and non-violence,” via email: ifna-cp@irna.com, to put up on the ifna site for a mutual exchange of views and ideas to help in finding true peace in the world.”

Very loving and peaceful and from the same news agency whose “about us” link does not beat around the bush. In brief (skipping over its establishment in 1934 and jumping forward):

"After the triumph of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979 the revolution's council, in June 1979, decided to rename the Ministry of Information and Tourism to the National Guidance Ministry (or Ministry of National Guidance). This was followed in December, 1981 bya bill passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis) changing the name of the country's official news agency from Pars News Agency to Islamic Republic News Agency."

Its guidelines (again very brief):

"The professional activities of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) are based on and aimed at securing the Islamic Republic of Iran's national interests. Efforts of management and professional personnel of IRNA are thus focused on achieving higher ground each day n fulfillment of its stated goal.

The organization functions as the "mother source of information dissemination" within the country, feeding its authorities, nationals and various publications with various types of news, bulletins, research works, opinion polls and stories of general interest through its various telex lines."

Number 1 on its list of guidelines is the “mass production and dissemination of news and informative material taking into account its main objective of promoting the interests and objectives of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Someone with even an almost imperceptible head on their shoulders wouldn’t need to read any of this to realize it, but it’s interesting as it is the major source of information in Iran. So when, as Ahmadinejad did yesterday says:

“The US' failed plot at Columbia University has secured a big win for the Iranian nation in thwarting the US and Zionist conspiracies”

"The Zionists wanted to turn the event into a trial of the Isalmic Republic of Iran, but with help from the Almighty God, the plot turned into a scene in which nations could express their hatred with the rulers in the White House."

"The behavior of the government and media in the US shows that there is dictatorship in that country and people are not allowed to know the facts."

When Ahmadinejad speaks and their “news” agency prints, especially in the realm of “PEACEFUL NUKES,” more people should question what the truth really is.

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Iraq and Iran; Not Separate Issues, Pieces of the Same Puzzle

From the point of view of most Democrats in Washington and of course those in agreement, Iraq is an entirely elective “war;” one that we can simply elect to “end.” Where this logic comes from is beyond most of us that support our efforts in Iraq and also consider one front in many in the greater war on terror.

If the surge is allowed to continue and with that continuation, tactics deployed are of the stripe of those being used now (let’s also include continued adjustment, which is always necessary in the realities of battle) things could slowly improve on the ground as they have been. With the confidence of support from the home front and positive results in the various provinces in Iraq, we could begin to see the political improvements that are thus far, wanting by so many.

Setting those successes aside though is necessary to address what is sorely lacking in Washington and that is a policy about what to do regarding Iran. Iran is not just in negotiations with Dr. El Baradei and his IAEA; Iran is part and parcel of the difficulties we face in Iraq. While El Baradei and other invested diplomats ply their chosen trade, which in my opinion is a lot of considering the wrong goals the means to success, Iran continues apace with its infiltration into the daily battles and life in Iraq (set aside the larger picture in the region that include Lebanon, Israel, Palestine through the IRGC, Hamas and Hezbollah).

Iran intends to continue to train Sunni, Shia, al Qaeda fighters through its proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; while supplying the financing and weapons through the IRGC that are necessary for the brass ring the Mullahs so covet; driving the U.S. out of Iraq.

Administrations of the past 30 years have pussyfooted around Tehran, backing down most times and/or giving them what they want with the expectation of their coming to see the light like any other normal nation. Iran has no geo-political strategy; it is a religious strategy in preparation for the return of the 12^th Imam. Iran is sewing destruction in Iraq and elsewhere to inhibit any nascent Democracy in the region; they seek peace for the Iraqi people, but peace to the Mullahcracy for the Iraqis is an absence of the U.S.; which resembles peace in Iran…ironfisted and deadly.

This is not some call for attacking Iran, although as many “hawks” have said these military options should not be off the table. The Department of State, many in the CIA and others need to face the reality that 30 years of nothing out of Iran is forthcoming; the tactics of diplomacy is not the answer…revolution from the bottom is a necessity and time is of the essence.

If we just consider Iraq the issue, which is thinking inside the box there is a lot to be said for sticking in out and the perseverance the president has called for; this is not four years of the same tactic as detractors mendaciously claim, but sticking with it to get it right as so much is riding on it.

“While not all the battles of this war will be exactly like Iraq, the bitter experience of the last four years should serve as a reminder that we must adapt to the war as it is rather than pretend we have the option of fighting a war we would prefer. Nor should we pretend that there's something more important for U.S. ground troops to do. If they are ordered to retreat from this battle, their next battle is likely to be a lot harder.”

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Sanctions Against Iran Limited: Germany and Iran Business as Usual

If you're interested in continued business and care very little for or even recognize the threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran, be sure to visit:

"BERLIN - A conference entitled "Iran - Business Opportunities for German Exporters" is opening tomorrow in Darmstadt, Germany, under the auspices of the Hessian state government and an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, and to the chagrin of Israeli diplomats, who have accused Berlin of sending a message of "business as usual" to the regime in Tehran."

Today from Berlin chief government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said:

"We are adhering to efforts for a negotiated diplomatic solution, all other options are not presently at disposition."

The question will likely remain; would serious and invasive economic sanctions deter negative moves on the part of Iran with regard to its nuclear ambitions? We'll probably never know, however, were Iran's number one trading partner play along, adherence to "efforts for a negotiated diplomatic solution" might be less of a fiasco than it already is.

Fact Sheet

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in February 2006, “We must take the Iranian president’s rhetoric seriously.” ¹ Similarly, Germany’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier has more than once declared his support for diplomatic and economic sanctions against Iran. ²

Nevertheless, German companies have continued to invest billions of Euros in Iran over the past decade, and the German government supports those investments through public subsidies.

Germany’s overall investment in Iran:

Germany is Iran’s number one trading partner, providing vital investments for Iran’s economy.
“Some two thirds of Iranian industry relies on German engineering products,” said Michael Tockuss, former President of the German-Iranian Chamber of Commerce in Tehran. “The Iranians are certainly dependent on German spare parts and suppliers.” ³
2005, export guarantees were reduced by more than 36.8 percent to around 1.4 billion Euro. The German government's compensation for the risk of trade with Iran was 5.8 billion Euro. ⁴
The German Engineering Federation (VDMA) stressed how its business with Iran has grown: “In the year 2005, the German machine construction made exports to Iran worth € 1.5 billion; in 2006, the business was even more lucrative.” ⁵
Five thousand German companies do business with Iran, a third of which have a representative or a mission in Iran. Of these companies 1,750 are registered as members of the German-Iranian Chamber of Commerce in Tehran.
Many firms want to do business in Iran, albeit increasingly in secret to avoid public awareness of their partnership with the regime. They include giants such as BASF, Henkel, Continental, Bahlsen, Krupp, Linde, Lurgi, Siemens, ZF Friedrichshafen, Mercedes, Volkswagen, MAN, Hansa, Hoechst, and smaller firms such as Stahlbau Schauenberg, Schernier, and Wolf Thermo-Module.
“German companies are trying now, as much as possible, not to publish their contracts with Tehran,” the German business paper Handelsblatt wrote in January 2007. “‘Everything that could affect the U.S. market is deadly. Siemens for example, did not comment officially on its locomotives deal. ⁶
July 29, 2007: Deutsche Bank announced, in the future it is not going to keep accounts in Iran. In doing so, it will be following the footsteps of Commerzbank and UBS. ⁷
August 21, 2007: Dresdner Bank has said it plans to pull the plug entirely on "its activities with Iran and in Iran," citing excessive "bureaucratic expenses." The Financial Times Deutschland said Dresdner Bank's 2006 lending in Iran amounted to the low end of the hundreds of millions of Euros, and had fallen to double digits in 2007. ⁸

Examples of major German corporations investing in Iran:

Siemens: On November 14, 2006, Iran’s Power Plant Projects Management Company (Mapna) and Germany's Siemens signed a deal worth € 450 million ($570 million U.S.) to build 150 locomotives for the Iranian railway network, the official news agency IRNA reported. The deal envisages the import of 30 fully built locomotives to Iran in the first phase and construction of 120 more inside Iran over six years. The contract also requires Siemens to transfer the technical know-how to Iran in 10 years. ⁹ Three years earlier, in August 2003, Siemens—a firm with expertise in nuclear power station construction—signed a contract to deliver 24 power stations. To complete the deal, Siemens had to commit itself to “technology transfer with regard to small and medium-sized power stations.” ¹⁰
BASF: BASF Iran has been active since 1959 and represents the entire BASF portfolio, with a special emphasis on strongly growing industries like automotive, petrochemicals (catalysts), and fiber. BASF Iran had a turnover of around € 70 million in 2005. ¹¹

The German government provides subsidies:

In March 2006, the Federal German Foreign Ministry promoted Iran as a partner for German companies: “Even today Iran is one of the most important markets for German companies in the entire Near and Middle East. From January to November 2005 Germany exported goods valued at more than € 4 billion to Iran.” This, the Ministry said, was “evident proof of the agility of the German-Iranian cultural exchange,” in contrast to the fact that “Iran does not maintain diplomatic relations with either the USA or Israel.” ¹²
In its 2004 annual report on export guarantees, Berlin’s Economics Ministry noted: “Federal Government export credit guarantees played a crucial role for German exports to Iran; the volume of coverage of Iranian buyers increased by a factor of almost 3.5 to some 2.3 billion Euros compared to the previous year.” The report continued: “The Federal Government thus insured roughly 65% of total German exports to the country [Iran]. Iran lies second in the league of countries with the highest coverage in 2004, hot on the heels of China.” ¹³
In 2006, the limited coverage coupled with the tense political situation in Iran lead towards a further 40 percent decrease in the volume of coverage to about 900 million Euro (previous year: 1.4 billion Euro). In the second quarter of the year 2006, Schuler SMG GmbH & Co. KG provided Iran with a hydraulic transfer press which included band arrangement for the construction of wheels. Iran's export guarantees were reduced by over 38%. Along with the cuts of short dated commercial transactions, export guarantees were also reduced for intermediate-term and long-dated projects in the sector of petrochemistry and the manufacture of foam plastic. ¹⁴
The German government plans to grant further Hermes export credit guarantees for trade with Iran. In February 2007, Germany’s Minister for the Economy announced that the policy will not be changed just “because of new political obstacles…. Iran-related export credit guarantees are still available.” ¹⁵
European export assurers no longer cover big projects that require funding. Together they placed Iran within the most expensive category, which means an augmentation of charges at 20 percent. Bank credits are, if at all, only being approved at adverse conditions. ¹⁶
In September 2007, iXPOS -an initiative of Germany’s Ministry of Economics- is supporting an event by the International Chamber of Commerce in Darmstadt that promotes business ties between Iran and Germany. Many German companies have had experienced "ups and downs" doing business with Iran, the invitation says, but they still look at it from the following perspective: "Iran is used to crises – somehow it always survives". Iran's economic potential certainly justifies this positive perception, it says in the invitation. ¹⁷

Trade Volume Germany-Iran 2002-06 ¹⁸:

2002	Exports to Iran	EUR 2,234 million (+16%)
	Imports to Iran	EUR 320 million (-21%)
2003	Exports to Iran	EUR 2,678 million (+20%)
	Imports to Iran	EUR 290 million (-9%)
2004	Exports to Iran	EUR 3,574 million (+33%)
	Imports to Iran	EUR 391 million (+35%)
2005	Exports to Iran	EUR 4,429 million (+24%)
	Imports to Iran	EUR 462 million (+18%)
2006	Exports to Iran	EUR 4,110 million (-7%)
	Imports to Iran	EUR 410 million (-10%)