Iran's Ministry of Industry Issues Restrictions on Importing Consumer Goods from the U.S.

Following the controversy surrounding the operation of the 'Halal KFC' restaurant in Tehran, the head of Iran's Center for Guilds announced that 'no' licenses will be issued for American brands and that the import of American consumer goods is 'faced with restrictions.' According to the Central News Unit affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Yadollah Sadighi stated on Wednesday, November 4, that 'based on the discretion of the country's officials' and a 'directive' issued by the Minister of Industry this week, consumer goods with an 'American symbol' are restricted from entering and distributing in Iran. He emphasized that 'no' business licenses will be issued for American brands and that 'if there have been any in the past, they will not be issued from now on.' According to Mr. Sadighi, the 'KFC' brand, which previously received a business license, has been sealed 'due to violations it has committed.' He stressed that this company received its business license from a 'neighboring country' and has no connection to the American brand. The head of the Center for Guild Affairs also commented on contracts with two American companies for importing cigarettes and soft drinks, stating that these contracts were made in the private sector and the government 'has not entered into any contracts.' The operation and sealing of the 'Halal KFC' restaurant in Tehran has made headlines in recent days. Despite the restaurant claiming to represent the Turkish company KFC (Halal) and 'KFC America' denying issuing a license for opening a branch in Tehran, several conservative media outlets had protested against the restaurant's operation. Meanwhile, according to ISNA news agency, some participants in the November 4 rally, the anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran, carried placards marking American brands like KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, and Coca-Cola with 'prohibited' signs. In recent weeks, some conservative media outlets reported on the registration of the 'McDonald's' trademark in Iran. However, Ahmad Toeyserkani, head of the National Registration Organization, stated on Tuesday that registering the 'McDonald's' trademark does not grant this company permission to operate in Iran. According to Mr. Toeyserkani, based on the Madrid Agreement and Protocol, of which Iran is a member, citizens and entities from member countries can register their trademarks in other member countries. Nevertheless, Gholamreza Jalali, head of the Passive Defense Organization, stated on Wednesday that the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Mining of Iran 'has granted a license to a dual Iranian-American company for McDonald's.' Mr. Jalali urged the police not to follow the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Mining and to take 'serious action' against this company. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in his letter to the Iranian president for the approval of the Vienna nuclear agreement, requested that after the lifting of sanctions, 'any import of consumer goods from America should be strictly avoided.' After the Vienna nuclear agreement, some close associates of the Supreme Leader have warned about the presence of American brands in Iran. For instance, Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, head of the Supreme Leader's office, stated on August 22 that 'the Americans are even trying to promote their culture and lifestyle through the establishment of companies and cartels and launching some economic enterprises like McDonald's.'