“According to local media reports, Iran is preparing to allow local retailers to import iPhones legally for the first time,” Chance Miller reports for 9to5Mac.
“Just last month, the country was threatening to ban the devices in what it was calling an anti-smuggling move,” Miller reports. “All that threat did in turn, however, was drive up the price of iPhones already in the country and actually increase smuggling.”
MacDailyNews Take: Ah, the laws of supply and demand.
“The trade ministry in the country has gone to the Traded Promoting Organization and requested licenses for nine Iranian companies to import Apple’s smartphone,” Miller reports. “iPhones have long been smuggled into Iran and the government has largely ignored the problem, but over the past two months the attitude had changed. The government’s original plan was apparently to ban the import and use of iPhones and focus on registering phones that were legally in the country. With the legalization of importing iPhones, however, Iran will now be able to register all mobile phones for the first time.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Why does Iran want to register all phones?
SEE ALSO:
Tehran threatens to ban, confiscate iPhones unless Apple officially registers in Iran – July 19, 2016
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dan K.” for the heads up.]