Iranian Apps removed from Apple Store

Many of the popular Iranian Apps have been removed from the Apple Store due to the US sanctions regulations. The decision by Apple was inevitable. The re-imposition of specific sanctions against Iran’s military for its ballistic missile program made this move problematic since the Revolutionary Guards control an estimated 78% of Iran’s economy through a myriad of shell companies, including the Ministry of Telecommunications governing all phones and internet access. Even though Apple does not have an App Store in Iran, there are many Iranian developers who have created apps for other App Stores. Also, apple products such as iPhones are smuggled into the country, despite an official ban, with an estimated 48 million units sold there.