Iran trade: White House's hostile rhetoric fails to stem flow of exports to regime under sanctions

Despite George Bush's tough rhetoric regarding Iran, and his threats of imminent military action and sanctions, the simple truth of the matter is that US exports to Iran have increased tenfold under his administration.

Analysis of US government trade figures published yesterday by Associated Press revealed a near tenfold increase in US sales to Iran over the past seven years. Goods included cigarettes, aircraft spare parts, bras, musical instruments, films, sculpture, fur, golf carts and snowmobiles. Although the sums involved are small, the disclosure is a political embarrassment for the US, coming at a time when it has been putting pressure on European governments, banks and companies to cut ties with Tehran.

US government figures showed exports to Iran from 2001 to 2007 totalled $546m (£273m). It exported roughly $146m of goods last year, compared with $8.3m in 2001, Bush's first year in office.

And this news comes on the very day that Bush is pushing for further sanctions against Iran, a country which we are now told is awash with US goods.

US export records show $148,000 worth of weapons and other military gear were exported, including $106,635 in rifles and $8,760 in rifle parts and accessories shipped in 2004. At least $13,000 in equipment needed to launch jets from aircraft carriers were also exported.

The numbers we are dealing in are very small, but a tenfold increase has nevertheless taken place on Bush's watch.

That's embarrassing to a regime which has been calling on others to halt trading with Tehran.

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Tags: US, Iran, Trade, sanctions, Bush, Ahmadinejad