Amazon under investigation over Iran-linked sales

Under federal investigation for possibly violating U.S. sanctions against Iran, Amazon.com has admitted to selling consumer goods to at least one person on the government’s list of people and entities associated with terrorism.

In its quarterly financial report filed this past week, Amazon revealed that it sold about $300 worth of consumer goods to someone designated under Executive Order 13224, which covers people and entities believed to be terrorists or supporters of terrorism.

A February regulatory filing from Amazon noted another sale or group of sales to a person covered under that counterterrorism order, amounting to $1,300.

It was unclear whether that customer was the same as the person mentioned in the latest filing, or whether the person or people named in the executive order have links to Iran.

Amazon’s July 28 filing outlines other, highervalue sales that may have violated the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act or other U.S. sanctions and exportcontrol laws.

The company said the commerce and treasury departments are investigating the Iran-linked sales and those to the person or people named in the executive order, and may impose penalties against the company.

Amazon did not respond to a request for comment.

According to Amazon, the goods referred to in the filings included “books, other media, apparel, home and kitchen, jewelry, office, toys, health and beauty, consumer electronics, lawn and patio, automotive, and musical instruments.”

The company said it was unable to accurately calculate the profit it made from the transactions.