Tehran on Saturday urged foreign firms working in Iran to resist US “threats” of sanctions, adding it was in talks with French car makers about staying on in the country.
“All (foreign) companies working in Iran should not be intimidated by US threats and should continue their activities in Iran,” Industry Minister Mohammad Shariatmadari told a news conference in Tehran.
“All those who do not do this, we will replace them. There are others who
will invest in Iran,” he said.
When asked specifically about the case of French vehicle manufacturers PSA—maker of Peugeot, Citroen and DS—and Renault, Shariatmadari said: “Until now, they have not told us that they are not continuing” their business in Iran.
“They are continuing their cooperation. So far, we are talking (with these groups) and there is nothing new,” he said.
US President Donald Trump announced on May 8 that Washington was withdrawing from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, effectively starting a countdown for the reimposition of sanctions lifted under the accord.