This week, Shell announced that it has not supplied gasoline to Iran since last year. B’nai B’rith International has long called for severe sanctions against the Iranian regime as a means to stop Iran from its quest to develop nuclear weapons. B’nai B’rith recently endorsed Senate actions that would deprive companies that provide gasoline to Iran access to funds from U.S. banks.

B’nai B’rith International President Dennis W. Glick said, “We welcome this action by a company of the international significance of Royal Dutch Shell. However, we note with concern that the company has not renounced nor disclosed whether it has other links to Iran. To be most effective, we urge Shell to sever all business ties to Iran.”

Published reports indicate that about 40 percent of the gasoline used for domestic purposes in Iran is imported. Denying access to refined petroleum products would put severe pressure on the Tehran regime and severely damage Iran’s economy.

B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said, “The greatest threat to the world comes from the development of Iranian nuclear weapons. While governmental sanctions are an essential tool to put pressure on Iran’s leaders, voluntary cessation of all trade is certainly welcomed since such action by the companies themselves can hasten the adoption by countries of sanctions against trade with Iran. We call upon other companies doing business with Iran to take the responsible step of ceasing such business.”

B’nai B’rith notes that several commodities traders such as Vitol Holdings, B.V.; Trafigura; and Glencore International, AG have also announced that they have stopped gasoline sales to Iran. Several other multinational companies, including Ingersoll Rand, Caterpillar, General Electric, Huntsman, and Siemens have also agreed to end their business contacts with Iran.