Cutting of Internet and Phone Services of National Bank of Iran in Hamburg Due to US Sanctions

A German newspaper reported that Deutsche Telekom has cut off the phone and internet services of the National Bank of Iran's branch in Hamburg due to US sanctions. According to the Handelsblatt newspaper, the National Bank had paid for the services received from the company in advance. However, Deutsche Telekom announced that due to US sanctions, the National Bank of Iran is unable to pay its costs and bills through the international banking network. Deutsche Telekom is the largest telecommunications and internet service provider in Germany and also operates in the mobile phone sector in the US. Germany, alongside France, the UK, and the European Union, has expressed regret over the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement and stated that it will adhere to its implementation as long as Iran remains in it. However, reports indicate that due to fears of US sanctions, only 40 to 50 banks are willing to provide services for business transactions related to Iran. Additionally, the European Union has still not been able to implement its special financial mechanism for Iran. Meanwhile, informed sources in the European Union had previously told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that none of the 28 member countries of the European Union are willing to host this special mechanism. At the same time, Richard Grenell, the US ambassador in Berlin, praised German traders and financial institutions for their compliance with Washington's sanctions against Iran. US pressures also led Iran to withdraw its request for a cash withdrawal of 300 million euros (347 million dollars) from its bank account in a bank based in Hamburg, Germany, in September. As a result of these pressures, the German state railway company and the German car manufacturer Daimler exited the Iranian market.