From Reuters via Chicago Tribune

South Africa criticized Royal Dutch Shell’s local unit on Tuesday for not refueling a jet carrying the visiting speaker of Iran’s parliament, saying the action was an “embarrassment” to the government.

Ali Larijani met with South African President Jacob Zuma and South Africa’s parliamentary speaker during an official visit to the country from March 4 to 7.

But Larijani was forced to cancel the next leg of a planned African tour because of a 24-hour delay when his plane was not refueled at Cape Town International Airport.

The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA), which groups suppliers such as Shell, said this was because of “company-specific global policies” its members follow in dealing with Iran, which has had international sanctions imposed on it over its nuclear program.

“In accordance with these company restrictions, the relevant SAPIA members were not able to sell fuel or provide refueling services to Dr Larijani’s aircraft prior to its departure from Cape Town on 7 March 2014,” SAPIA said in a statement.

Iran agreed under an interim deal with world powers in November to curb sensitive nuclear activities in return for limited sanctions relief.

Written by Wendell Roelf | Read more at Chicago Tribune