
Unauthorized?
Photo: Ronen Gilboa
Israeli cherries are sold in Iran – or so the Islamic Republic's media reported over the last few days.
Ynet learned Wednesday that Iranian grocers have been selling supposed Israeli cherries for 4,500 Toman – or $2.42 – per kilogram.
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Iran's Mehr News Agency quotes the head of Tehran's produce association as confirming that the Israeli fruit is, in deed, being sold there.
The report, however, makes no mention of Iran's trade ties with Israel – which are supposed to be non-existent; nor does it criticize the sale of Israeli produce.
Other media reports in Iran quote a rather predictable comment by an Iranian Trade Ministry official, saying that importing Israeli goods of any kind in prohibited.
"The order system does not have the ability to process 'Israel' as a location and since all orders are placed electronically, there is no way for the system to log such goods," he said.
The "cherry affair" is reminiscent of the 2009 orange scandal, which saw Israel citrus – bearing clear Israeli labels – sold in Iranian markets.