Iran Bans Import of Home Appliances from South Korea

A shop selling Samsung products after the South Korean company quit the Iranian market in February 2020. (Tasnim)
A shop selling Samsung products after the South Korean company quit the Iranian market in February 2020. (Tasnim)
TT
20

Iran Bans Import of Home Appliances from South Korea

A shop selling Samsung products after the South Korean company quit the Iranian market in February 2020. (Tasnim)
A shop selling Samsung products after the South Korean company quit the Iranian market in February 2020. (Tasnim)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi instructed the ministries of commerce and economy to ban imports from South Korea’s home appliances companies, following orders from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei’s orders came in response to a request by several domestic home appliance manufacturing companies to prevent the import of foreign-made home appliances into the country, a reference to Samsung and LG.

Khamenei has long stressed the importance of supporting internal production and avoiding the import of products similar to Iranian-manufactured goods.

“A potential return of foreign brands of home appliances, including two of South Korea’s companies, to the Iranian market would be a huge blow to local manufacturers and their expansion projects,” Khamenei’s letter read.

Ties between Iran and South Korea have been shaken over an estimated $7 billion in Iranian funds frozen because of US sanctions.

Iran was a key oil supplier to resource-poor South Korea until Washington’s rules blocked the purchases.

South Korea’s imports of Iranian oil have been zero since May 2019, when the US revoked waivers which had allowed some countries to continue buying Iranian oil without falling foul of its sanctions.

The United States re-imposed sanctions on Iran in 2018 after former President Donald Trump withdrew from a deal to lift them in return for curbs on Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran calls the US sanctions economic warfare.

Iran and South Korea held talks to facilitate the release of funds, after US President Joe Biden’s administration said it wants to revive the nuclear deal with Tehran and lift economic sanctions.

In January, Tehran seized a South Korean oil tanker and its crew in strategic Gulf waters after accusing it of “repeated infringement of maritime environmental laws.”

Tehran attempted to pressure Seoul to hand it over billions of dollars of its assets but then released the tanker in April.



Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
TT
20

Belgian King Denounces Gaza Abuses in Unusually Direct Remarks

Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo
Belgium's King Philippe delivers a speech on the occasion of the upcoming Belgian National Day at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium July 17, 2024. REUTERS/Yves Herman/Pool/File Photo

Belgium's King Philippe described abuses in Gaza as a "disgrace to humanity" in a speech on the eve of Monday's national day, unusually direct remarks on international affairs from a monarch who traditionally avoids public politics.

"I add my voice to all those who denounce the serious humanitarian abuses in Gaza, where innocent people are dying of hunger and being killed by bombs while trapped in their enclaves," he said speaking at his palace in Brussels, Reuters reported.

"The current situation has gone on for far too long. It is a disgrace to all of humanity. We support the call by the United Nations Secretary-General to immediately end this unbearable crisis."

It was the first time Philippe has spoken out so strongly and unambiguously about a conflict in public. Belgium's federal government has been more reserved in its criticism of the conflict in Gaza.

The king's role in Belgium is limited to giving advice, support, and warnings to the government without making any political decisions.

Israel launched its assault on Gaza following an October 2023 attack on Israeli towns by Hamas-led fighters. Since then, Israeli forces have killed more than 59,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials there. Much of the territory has been laid to waste and Israel has restricted food and other supplies.

Israel denies that its forces commit abuses in Gaza and says restrictions on supplies are needed to prevent aid from being diverted by militants.