for possible exports to Iran
American government has begun an investigation into Huawei because of the possible export of telecom equipment to Iran when sanctions were imposed against that country. The US can put Huawei under supervision.

The US Justice Department is investigating whether Huawei has ignored US sanctions against Iran, reports The Wall Street Journal in an article that can also be read via an archive site . If so, a ‘corporate monitor’ may follow, a punishment whereby the department appoints a supervisor who will monitor everything within the company. The company may itself nominate three candidates who can fulfill the function.

It is also possible that the American government will prosecute persons who have been involved in the violation, reports the business newspaper. Last year, the US government fined ZTE a fine and other sanctions for the same offense. Recently the American government said that ZTE did not keep to the agreements and imposed a trade ban . As a result, American companies are no longer allowed to supply products to ZTE. That penalty threatens the company’s survival, claims ZTE .

Huawei does limited business in the United States. The US government is opposed to the use of Huawei devices. For example, American providers choose other network equipment than Huawei, while the Chinese manufacturer’s smartphones are barely available in the country. This is different in the Benelux. Huawei manages the network for T-Mobile and also does business with other providers, while the smartphones are on the shelves at almost all stores.