In fact, with the sharp decline in Russian hardcurrencyearnings, the role of arms, space and nuclear exports has undoubtedly increased in importance as has access to various forms of Western financing.
This U.S. statute was predicated on the notion that foreign development of Iran's energy sector would bolster Tehran's hardcurrencyearnings which would, in turn, help provide the means for Iran to procure components for weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile delivery systems and other proscribed items.
They also claim that the government is feeling the financial pressure: clothing exports to the United States fell by 27% in 2002, for example, cutting into its hard-currency earnings.