Other world leaders have criticised Israel for threatening to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, and some have even criticised economic sanctions as a method of causing Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Notably, engagement with Iran is a potential economic bonanza for Western countries presumably for two reasons: Iranian oil, and the enormous potential that Western companies could tap by collaborating with building Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to Reuters, several Western diplomats acknowledged that the UN report was supported by intelligence, said Iran’s Supreme National Security Council instructed Iranian banks and state firms to create “front companies” to help the Revolutionary Guards in evade the UN and other sanctions.
“The order, which was issued in April 2013, is reportedly intended to obscure the relationship of such companies to Khatam al-Anbiya and make the activities of the company appear innocent,” the report said.
Reuters also said that the directive to create front companies remained in effect well after Iran’s new “pragmatist” President Hassan Rouhani took office last August.
