Kamran Jebreili / AP Photo
Apple products are even the rage in Iran, where they are banned from being sold under U.S. sanctions. Majid Tavassoli sells tons of iPads, iPods, iPhones, laptops, etc. from his Tehran store Radan Mac. “Business has been booming for the last three years,” he said. There are about 100 stores in the Islamic Republic’s capital that openly hawk Apple’s wares. The success of Apple in Iran demonstrates the effect some of America’s economic sanctions may actually have in the country. No U.S. companies are allowed to sell their products to the Middle Eastern nation without special permission from the U.S. government. Popular American goods are regularly obtained via underground trade methods, however, and are regularly used by banks, newspapers, magazines and even the country’s broadcasting network.