Introduction
This dossier examines the complex and controversial economic and academic relationships between Spain and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite widespread international condemnation of Iran’s human rights violations, its threat to global and European security, its support for global terrorism, and the imposition of American and European sanctions on the Iranian regime and its affiliates, Spanish institutions continue to engage significantly with Iranian entities directly linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The persistence of these relationships raises serious questions about Spain’s commitment to upholding human rights and international security standards, considering the IRGC’s designation as a foreign terrorist organization by several countries due to its involvement in terrorist activities and support for terrorist groups.
Spain-Iran Economic Entanglements feeding the global terrorism
Spanish companies have maintained a notable presence in Iran’s energy sector, especially in oil and gas, adeptly navigating the complexities of international sanctions to sustain trade relationships in sectors vital to Iran’s economy. Despite the heavily sanctioned state of the Iranian economy, in 2022, Spain’s trade relations with Iran remained robust, with exports to Iran valued at $240 million. This significant economic engagement highlights the strategic maneuvering by Spanish entities to continue their business operations amidst geopolitical tensions and restrictions, feeding the IRGC in control of key sectors of the Iranian economy and the direct sponsor of terrorisme.
Key findings reveal the involvement of Spanish companies in Iran across sectors affected by international sanctions:
Prematecnica SA
Prematecnica SA’s operations in Iran, particularly its business relations with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and the National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC), but also the Nargan Engineering company and Norahan Sanaye, both affiliated to IRGC, highlight its active participation in Iran’s energy sector. This engagement occurs amidst the backdrop of international sanctions targeting Iran, especially those imposed by the United States and the European Union. These sanctions are part of broader efforts to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and its alleged support for terrorism.
The United States has specifically designated NIOC under Executive Order 13224 for its affiliations with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. This designation subjects NIOC to sanctions aimed at preventing the funding of terrorism and restricting Iran’s ability to finance its nuclear program through oil revenues.
Source : Premantecnica Clients mapping
Tubos Reunidos
The information gathered indicates that Tubos Reonidos has a significant business presence in Iran, with its sales in the country accounting for 6.8% of its total sales in 2019. Despite a notable absence of explicit references to sales in Iran in its most recent reports—where the company communicates international sales while stating that these figures exclude Iran—there is evidence that Tubos Reunidos products continue to be distributed within Iran through various channels.
Source : Pardis Foolad – Tubos Reunidos distributor in Iran
Telefonica SA:
The engagement of Telefonica SA with the Mobile Telecommunication Company of Iran as of February 2023 serves as a significant example of a major telecommunications entity collaborating with Iranian firms. Given the strategic importance of telecommunications for both economic development and security purposes, this partnership raises questions regarding the consequences of such technological collaborations.
These instances showcase the diverse involvement of Spanish corporations in Iran, covering critical sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and industrial manufacturing. Highlighting these examples should lead to further investigations into the nature of Spanish corporate ties with Iran, particularly against the backdrop of sanctions enforcement initiatives. All the Spanish companies identified as of today for their activities in Iran are engaged in industries that are directly controlled by the IRGC and are subject to international sanctions.
