WASHINGTON — Nuclear weapons? No way. But there are plenty of items on Iran’s shopping list that the United States is more than happy to supply: cigarettes, brassieres, bull semen and more.
U.S. exports to Iran have grown more than tenfold during President Bush’s years in office even as he accused it of nuclear ambitions and sponsoring terrorists. America sent more cigarettes to Iran — at least $158 million worth — than any other product. Other shipments during the Bush administration: fur clothing, sculptures, perfume, musical instruments and military apparel. Colorado companies exported goods worth $515,935, including seeds, fruit and spores for sowing.
Rules allow sales to Iran of agricultural commodities, medicine and a few other categories of goods. The U.S. government’s figures showed at least $148,000 worth of unspecified weapons and other military gear were exported to Iran.
“I thought because of the situation between our two governments, I didn’t think we traded with them at all, so I certainly didn’t know they were getting any cigarettes,” said Fred Wetherington, a tobacco grower in Hahira, Ga., and chairman of Georgia’s tobacco commission. The Associated Press; AP file photo
