Russia: Shipping Firm Halts Activities In Iran

A Russian shipping classification firm has stopped verifying safety and environmental standards for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, Iran's state-run non-oil shipping company, Reuters reported Sept. 5. A letter dated Aug. 31 acquired by Reuters said Russian Maritime Register of Shipping decided to end its classification activities with Iran at the urging of U.S.-based advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran. The international sanctions campaign against Tehran's nuclear activities has caused Iran's oil exports and government revenues to drop, reducing the value of the Iranian rial by half and adding to Iran's chronically high inflation....