Daimler Halts Cooperation with Iran Following US Sanctions

The German automotive company Daimler announced on Tuesday, August 7, that it is suspending its business activities in Iran due to the re-imposition of Washington's sanctions against Tehran. A spokesperson for the company told AFP, "We have suspended our activities in Iran, which were already limited, due to the mentioned sanctions." This decision marks the end of Daimler's development plans in Iran and its collaboration with two Iranian companies for assembling Mercedes-Benz trucks. Just a day before this announcement, the first round of US sanctions against Iran was implemented, an action triggered by the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Vienna nuclear agreement. Washington is currently attempting to prevent Iran from accessing dollars, while key industries such as automotive and carpets have also been targeted. The second phase of sanctions will begin on November 4 of this year, and since it includes Iran's oil industry, it is expected to inflict more damage on Tehran. The European Union, which remains committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, has emphasized that it will take necessary measures to support European companies that continue to cooperate with Iran, but there are many doubts and ambiguities that have led many of these companies to halt their activities in Iran. French oil company Total and automotive manufacturer PSA are among those that have indicated they might leave the Iranian market. Donald Trump, who has increased pressure on Iran, referred to the new sanctions on Tuesday as "the most biting sanctions" ever approved. He also tweeted on Tuesday, "Anyone doing business with Iran will not be doing business with the United States. I want world peace, nothing less." Two years ago, Daimler had signed an agreement to establish a company for the production and sale of Mercedes-Benz trucks in Iran in collaboration with Iran Khodro Diesel and Mammut Group. However, Daimler's announcement emphasized that the company had not yet begun truck manufacturing and sales in Iran. The company ultimately stated that it is closely monitoring the political conditions and developments related to Iran's nuclear agreement to make future decisions. Meanwhile, the presence of other European companies in Iran is also fraught with uncertainties. The automotive company Renault, which has no sales in the US, recently announced it would stay in Iran but later changed its decision and stated it would comply with the sanctions. The aircraft manufacturer ATR also confirmed on Monday that it had delivered five aircraft to Iran Air before the US sanctions against Tehran. According to the contract, several other aircraft are to be delivered to Iran Air, but it has stated that it has not been able to obtain a waiver from the US sanctions.