US exports to Iran rose ten fold in Bush years

[EV_Ares]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. exports to Iran grew more than tenfold during President Bush's years in office even as he accused Iran of nuclear ambitions and helping terrorists. America sent more cigarettes to Iran -- at least $158 million worth under Bush -- than any other products.

Other surprising shipments to Iran during the Bush administration: brassieres, bull semen, cosmetics, fur clothing, sculptures, perfume, musical instruments and possibly even weapons. Top states shipping goods to Iran include California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to an analysis by The Associated Press of seven years of U.S. government trade data.

Despite increasingly tough rhetoric toward Iran, which Bush has called part of an "axis of evil," U.S. trade in a range of goods survives on-again, off-again sanctions originally imposed nearly three decades ago. The rules allow sales of agricultural commodities, medicine and a few other categories of goods. The exemptions are designed to help Iranian families even as the United States pressures Iran's leaders.

rest of this article @ the link: http://current.com/items/89083075_us_exports_to_iran_rose_ten_fold_in_bush_years?xid=216

[islandmkl]

1. next, the RW will be crowing about the 'secret plan' to give Iranians lung cancer...

except they don't like acknowledging that cigarettes causes ANY health problems...