Apple confirmed that it removes Iranian apps because of U.S. sanctions

Apple recently confirmed that it's been removing Iranian apps from its store due to American sanctions against the country.

While the sale of Apple products is actually prohibited in Iran, Iranian consumers still get their hands on Apple devices like iPhones, reports the The New York Times. Naturally this has led to the development of Iranian apps, several of which Apple has shut down in recent weeks.

Apple told developers, "Under the U.S. sanctions regulations, the App Store cannot host, distribute, or do business with apps or developers connected to certain U.S. embargoed countries," according to The Times.

Two notable apps taken down include a ride-sharing app called Snapp, and a food delivery service app, DelionFoods.

One of DelionFoods' founders, Mahdi Taghizadeh, expressed frustration over the decision in an interview with The Times. Citing hard work, he said "No one with an iPhone can download any of the popular apps any more. Imagine if in the U.S. you wouldn’t be able to get Uber on your phone."

Apple's presence in Iran was already complicated, as the company doesn't have an official app store, and the sale of iPhones is prohibited. The company even put app developers on notice a few months ago, telling them to not include payment options in their apps so that Iranian currency wouldn't make its way into the U.S., according to The Times.

"The full removal of Iranian apps by Apple means our work will be much more complicated," Taghizadeh told The Times.

The move by Apple has even captured the attention of Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, Iran’s telecommunications minister. He tweeted about the situation Friday.

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Taghizadeh has also protested the move with a #StopRemovingIranianApps campaign on Twitter, according to The Times.