TEHRAN -- Limits in relations between German banks and companies with Iran have come due to the U.S. pressure on Berlin, said German Ambassador to Tehran, Herbert Honsowitz.

“The main reason behind the issue is the widespread relations between Germany and the United States, and these limitations have been placed due to the want of the U.S. side,” he said in a meeting with the Kish Free Trade Zone Managing Director Majid Shayesteh on Thursday.
He added under the U.S. pressure many German banks and companies have reduced their cooperation with Iran, although the efforts of the German government are directed towards expanding bilateral ties.
For his part, Shayesteh referred to the history of relations between Iran and Germany, stressing despite outside pressure Tehran and Berlin should try to remove the existing obstacles.
“No wise investor would neglect his interests in Iran, and the Islamic Republic of Iran pays a special respect to all foreigners who invest in the country,” Shayesteh told the ambassador.
Germany turned into Iran’s primary trading partner after the Iraqi imposed war against Iran (1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war).
Relations between Germany and Iran have been some of the closest between any Western nation and Tehran. Only in 2005 Germany had the largest share of Iran’s export market with $5.67 billion which was equal to 14.4 percent.
Thousands of jobs in Germany are linked to the 4 billion euros in exports that go to the Persian Gulf region every year.