In Search for Lifting Sanctions against Iranian Carpet

In a letter to the minister of foreign affairs, the minister of industry, mines and commerce urged the removal of the sanctions against Iranian handmade carpet imports to the US.
Addressing Mohammad Javad Zarif, Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh appreciated the minister and his colleagues’ efforts to lift the malicious sanctions against Iran, adding: “Iranian handmade carpet imports to the US have been banned since September 29, 2010 in line with the bill passed by the US Congress signed by the US president on July 1, 2010.”
“This is while the Americans were No. 1 purchasers of Iranian handmade carpets, holding the share of over 16.5% amounting to 82 million dollars prior to the banning (in 2009),” he went on to say.
Referring to the non-governmental process of production-distribution of the Iranian handmade carpets, he stated: “The production and supply of carpets in Iran are in the hands of the private sector while the government solely plays a supportive and supervising role. Accordingly, the sanctions against Iranian carpets imports are in fact incurred by Iranian artists and craftsmen who are the main contributors to the production and sales process.”
Mr. Nematzadeh further urged the minister to consider the removal of sanctions against Iranian carpet export to the US in their diplomatic negotiations concerning the imposed sanctions and their corresponding limitations.