World | Iran US Gave $107B to Firms Dodging Iran Sanctions NYT investigation finds 49 firms still doing business in Tehran By Polly Davis Doig Posted Mar 7, 2010 7:13 AM CST Copied Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaks with media during his press conference at the presidency in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) Want to thumb your nose at US sanctions, and sink some money in Iran? That's OK, the US government doesn't mind—to the tune of some $107 billion it's given in federal contracts and grants to corporations doing business with Tehran. As the New York Times reports, a large portion of that went to Iran's energy sector—a huge financial boon to both Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Both the Obama and Bush administrations have spotty records, and it's difficult to exert control over foreign companies or foreign subsidiaries of US companies. Recent political tensions have led various companies to pull out of Iran, but according to the Times, 49 of 74 firms that have dealt both with Tehran and Washington have no stated intention of leaving the former. Read These Next The 8 Democrats who bucked party on shutdown have something in common. Hormone therapy for menopause was unfairly demonized, says the FDA. Porn studio is US' 'most prolific copyright plaintiff.' Supreme Court won't revisit its ruling in favor of gay marriage. Report an error