BEIJING: Chine telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies says it will cut back its business in Iran, where it aids state-run telecom operators, due to the “increasingly complex situation” there.

Iran keeps close tabs on its citizens, aided by imported technology, and faces rising Western sanctions over its nuclear programme and the treatment of its people since the state crushed protests over a contested 2009 vote.

Huawei will “voluntarily restrict its business development” in Iran “by no longer seeking new customers and limiting its business activities with existing customers”, the Shenzhen-based company said on its website.

“For communications networks that have been delivered or are under delivery to customers, Huawei will continue to provide necessary services to ensure communications for Iran’s citizens,” the statement said.

In November, responding to what it called biased reporting, Huawei said that “we have never been involved in and do not provide any services relating to monitoring or filtering technologies anywhere in the world”.

Source: The Daily Star/ Bangladesh/ 11th Dec 2011