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US relaxes hi-tech trade embargo on Iran

The United States is to ease its embargo on sales of hi-tech equipment to Iran. We examine how this may help dissidents within the country and ask: is there also a downside?

The United States is to ease its embargo on sales of hi-tech equipment to Iran, including devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers. We examine how this may help dissidents within the country to make their voices heard. But we also hear how using such technology to criticise the Iranian government can be a dangerous process. Plus, multinational companies have been under heavy pressure over their tax affairs lately , but who is winning the war of words - the politicians who criticise them, or the companies themselves? With contributions from Ricken Patel, founder and CEO of campaign group Avaaz and Duncan Mavin, Asia editor of the Wall Street Journal column Heard on the Street.

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55 minutes

Last on

Fri 31 May 2013 00:06GMT

Broadcast

  • Fri 31 May 2013 00:06GMT

Podcast