Tehran, Iran, Nov.1
Trend:
Although the US Department of State announced that US sanctions against Iran do not include items such as medicines and food, but in practice Iranians were prevented from attending the largest food exhibition in France, IRNA reported.
International food exhibition SIAL welcomed over 7,200 exhibitors from 119 countries to Paris this week to showcase the latest products from across the food and drink industry.
SIAL did not allow the presence of Iran, and even the Iranians who only wanted to visit the exhibition, faced a message, that said due to sanctions they were not allowed to attend, IRNA reported on Wednesday October 31.
"Many Iranians go to this biennial exhibition. Iran seizes many opportunities there, in case with saffron and dried fruits," member of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Ali Shariati told IRNA.
“Iran has always had a section in this exhibition, but this year, a few months before the exhibition, and despite registration of Iranian companies, Iran's stand was removed from the list due to US sanctions,” he said.
"The US always claimed that Iran is not sanctioned in the food and medicine sector, and the SIAL exhibition was a specialized food exhibition," he said.
Referring to the ICJ ruling against the US sanctions, Shariati said Iran can file suit in International Court.
"However, the ban on the presence of the food industry, food companies or individuals is not legal in a country that considers itself the guardian of civilization and democracy,” he said.