Iran is opening up to foreign trade, but not to flagship US brands
October 13, 2015 5:55 AM Subscribe
Apple in Talks to Sell iPhone in Iran.
The idolatry of consumers will be hard to abolish, but at least it is largely monotheistic.
posted by three blind mice at 6:29 AM on October 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
The idolatry of consumers will be hard to abolish, but at least it is largely monotheistic.
posted by three blind mice at 6:29 AM on October 13, 2015 [3 favorites]
The article tried to paint a nuanced (if short) picture of Iranian authorities, but it didn't really answer the main question now, did it? Except for telling us that Khamenei probably doesn't love the idea.
posted by Harald74 at 6:31 AM on October 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Harald74 at 6:31 AM on October 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
The Obama administration's normalization of relations with Cuba and Iran is two very positive developments, seen from my vantage point here up in Northern Europe. I just hope that it will stick and not devolve into yet another round of non-engagement, pointless blockades or CIA shenanigans.
posted by Harald74 at 6:33 AM on October 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Harald74 at 6:33 AM on October 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
He likes science, but he doesn't like the burgers. Seems reasonable. I bet a lot of folks here sport iPhones while avoiding coke. When corporations are the colonists, we all get to vote with our dollars on the future we want every day.
posted by astrobiophysican at 6:40 AM on October 13, 2015
posted by astrobiophysican at 6:40 AM on October 13, 2015
It doesn't really matter what Iran does at this point: even after JCPOA goes into full effect, U.S. individuals and entities will be restricted from most business in Iran, save for sectors that are TSRA-authorized (most agricultural and some medical products), or were singled out in the JCPOA (e.g., aircraft and related parts and services). OFAC will probably issue some sort of general license that authorizes foreign subsidiaries of U.S. persons to engage in business in Iran, but there are a lot of complications associated with this, including the fact that opponents of the deal in Congress are going to say that the section of the JCPOA that authorizes foreign subs of U.S. entities to do business with Iran conflicts with a section in the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act that forbids such subsidiaries from doing this (counter analysis here). So you can expect OFAC to take its time issuing the general license (my guess is we won't see it until late 2016 or early 2017, after the election is safely over). By that time, EU firms are going to be pretty well established in Iran. I'd be pretty annoyed if I was a U.S. entity that wanted to do business in Iran, but that's U.S. politics for you.
posted by longdaysjourney at 7:05 AM on October 13, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by longdaysjourney at 7:05 AM on October 13, 2015 [4 favorites]
The article is by one of MeFi's Own and most beloved, Hossein Derakhshan.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:08 AM on October 13, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:08 AM on October 13, 2015 [4 favorites]
I'm so glad to see hoder back in the Guardian and journalism in general. A happy reminder of his freedom!
posted by Anonymous at 9:01 AM on October 13, 2015
posted by Anonymous at 9:01 AM on October 13, 2015
Ever read an article where you think "wow, I don't really know anything about this subject and now want to know everything"? Headed to Powell's on my lunch break.
posted by munchingzombie at 9:23 AM on October 13, 2015
posted by munchingzombie at 9:23 AM on October 13, 2015
Iran doesn't want to pay long-term maintenance contracts to American suppliers who will need to shop parts and labour in from America or Europe and won't be interested in basing operations in Iran? Can't really blame them.
posted by parmanparman at 10:27 AM on October 13, 2015
posted by parmanparman at 10:27 AM on October 13, 2015
Well, there goes the cultural victory in this game of civ.
posted by clvrmnky at 3:54 PM on October 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by clvrmnky at 3:54 PM on October 13, 2015 [1 favorite]
Isn't it kind of premature to be predicting the arrival of Burger King in Tehran, given that we are still fighting a proxy war in Syria and just about every Presidential candidate has signaled they would join our regional allies in an attack on Iran whenever they're ready? Or am I just off-base thinking capitalism can't overcome these minor altercations?
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:57 PM on October 13, 2015
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:57 PM on October 13, 2015
is it me or does a Burger King in Tehran seem hokey.
posted by clavdivs at 6:25 PM on October 13, 2015
posted by clavdivs at 6:25 PM on October 13, 2015
RobotVoodooPower: just about every Presidential candidate has signaled they would join our regional allies in an attack on Iran whenever they're ready
Wait, really? I'd expect that from Trump or the crazy doctor guy, but I'd hope at least some of the other candidates wouldn't hint a thing like that.
posted by traveler_ at 7:52 PM on October 13, 2015
Wait, really? I'd expect that from Trump or the crazy doctor guy, but I'd hope at least some of the other candidates wouldn't hint a thing like that.
posted by traveler_ at 7:52 PM on October 13, 2015
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posted by growabrain at 6:23 AM on October 13, 2015 [3 favorites]