Volvo, the renowned Swedish vehicle manufacturer, finds itself under the spotlight amidst claims that its lorries are being employed to transport Iranian missiles. These allegations have been raised by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a pressure group focused on preventing business links with Tehran.
UANI has identified Volvo as one of several Swedish companies allegedly maintaining business interests in Iran while remaining tight-lipped about these dealings and refusing to terminate them. The pressure group has initiated a series of Europe-wide events, commencing in Sweden, to expose companies with connections to Tehran.
The timing of this campaign in Sweden holds particular significance as it coincides with the detention of two Swedish citizens in Iran. Johan Floderus, an EU diplomat, has been imprisoned for over 500 days, while Ahmadreza Djalali faces the death penalty.
UANI has sent requests for information regarding business associations with Iran or withdrawal from the country to 40 companies and six universities in early September. Disappointingly, only seven responded, highlighting the challenges in eliciting transparency from entities operating in Iran.
The pressure group contends that dealing with Iran entails a degree of engagement, if not outright collaboration, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), a body that plays a pivotal role in Iran’s nuclear program. They assert that the IRGC wields control over a substantial portion of Iran’s economy, making business ventures in the nation fraught with ethical and geopolitical implications.
Volvo, in particular, is being urged by Alireza Akhondi, a member of the Swedish Parliament associated with UANI, to sever its ties with Iran in light of these allegations. The pressure group has provided visual evidence, showcasing a Volvo lorry towing a trailer carrying an Iranian missile. Additional images depict similar vehicles with the Volvo logo obscured but labeled “FH16” above the windscreen, indicating their affiliation with the manufacturer.
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