American Business Tourism in Iran

While Iranian diplomats and the P5+1 group continue to strive for a comprehensive and final agreement on the nuclear program, investors and economic actors in the international community are eyeing the Iranian market. Among them, American investors have seized the opportunity and are attempting to explore this potential market. According to a report by Hannah Kavyani, a group of over 20 American citizens, mostly entrepreneurs and executives of large companies, traveled to Iran as tourists and met with a group of economic activists in Iran last week. This is not the first time an American group involved in economics and investment has traveled to Tehran, but as the Financial Times noted, it is the first time a public meeting with these individuals has been held in Tehran; however, due to fears of opposition, the meeting was held informally in a restaurant in northern Tehran. Mehrdad Emadi, an economic expert in London, commented on this group's trip to Iran, stating, 'This trip, which is not the only one, is essentially a way to enter the social-business environment of Iran to see the conditions up close. It is important for potential American investors to see how the atmosphere is regarding cooperation with American companies, especially since the images we have had of Iran for over thirty years have been negative. However, both this group and previous groups seem to have returned with a very positive message or reassessment.' According to the New York Times, Ned Lamont, a former American politician who is now an economic activist and university professor, is among the members of this group and has stated that everyone loves them in Iran. This trip, as reported by the New York Times, was the third trip to Iran organized by the Young Presidents Organization. Dick Simon, one of the founders of this organization, who criticizes the use of the term 'others' for less known communities, mentioned to the New York Times that the prospect of changes in Iran is very interesting, and although they are tourists, it is natural that many members of his organization may start activities in Iran in the future, as they are among the leaders in important economic fields. An American official also mentioned to Gulf News that this is not impossible. Stephen Selig, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce, stated regarding American investment in the event of a nuclear agreement and the lifting of sanctions that the two countries, Iran and the U.S., have not had trade relations for a long time, and much work needs to be done to establish this bilateral trade relationship. There are numerous challenges for economic relations between Iran and the U.S., in addition to sanctions, which also relate to other issues. Mehrdad Emadi pointed out the example of Western companies' presence in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the graffiti on the walls of companies like Ford and Jaguar, regarding the potential presence of American companies in Iran, he said, 'There are groups that see the arrival of American and even European capital—though the political sensitivity around America is greater—as a way of diminishing their control over parts of Iranian industries, especially the energy sector and foreign trade. I believe that if we see the return of American investments and participation in joint projects, there will be challenges for those managers who need to be in Iran, at the street and everyday life level; I expect very little that we will witness challenges created by government officials.' Statements about the possibility of Americans entering the Iranian market following the lifting of international sanctions are also heard from within Iran. As reported by ISNA, a member of the board of directors of the Iranian Auto Parts Association mentioned the sending of messages from American automakers expressing their interest in entering Iran. This statement has not yet been confirmed or denied by other officials, but experts say it indicates Iran's desire to attract American investment and technology, while also serving as a warning to other European and Asian competitors to act more quickly in their investment efforts in Iran.