WikiLeaks:

US blocked Spanish Companies in Iran

Spain: The United States forced major Spanish banks and companies to leave Iran, according to classified documents released by the WikiLeaks website and published by El Pais newspaper Sunday.

The diplomatic cables reveal that the US Embassy in Madrid placed constant pressure on the Spanish Government and companies to limit their activities in Iran.

Meetings with members of the Spanish administration and other high-ranking officials sought to block possible operations in Teheran, dissuade investment, and force out companies such as Repsol, Iberia, Union Fenosa, and the Santander and Sabadell banks.

According to the article, U.S. diplomats in Madrid made the Bank of Spain Deputy Governor, Jose Viñals, provide detailed information on the operations of Santander and Sabadell.

The cables include conversations of Jose Viñals with various Spanish officials, such as ex-first vice president of the government of Spain Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, and executives of consortiums such as Repsol, Iberia, and Union Fenosa.

Madrid, Prensa Latina