Global energy companies promoting Iran

By · August 31, 2008

Two leading global energy companies are promoting business with Iran.

OMV, an Austrian energy corporation, and Shell, a multinational oil company, are sponsoring a conference in Tehran whose goal is to promote “gas export opportunities and potentials of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The conference is scheduled for Oct. 4-5 under the auspices of the National Iranian Gas Export Company.

The Anti-Defamation League on Friday criticized the companies for “hindering the effort to isolate Iran.”

“OMV claims to be ‘guided by its higher standards’ in its Corporate Social Responsibility statement and ‘regards human rights as universal values,’ while one of Shell’s Business Principles is ‘to support fundamental human rights in line with the legitimate role of business,’” Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said in a statement.

“Yet these two companies are co-sponsoring a conference by the state-owned energy company of the leading state-sponsor of terrorism and human rights violator. By promoting one of Iran’s strategic industries, natural gas, OMV and Shell are hindering the effort of responsible states and corporations to isolate Iran.”