U.S. grand jury investigates MTN over past operations in Iran and Afghanistan

A grand jury convened by the US Department of Justice is investigating MTN over its historical operations in Iran and Afghanistan. The probe follows civil lawsuits in the United States alleging that the mobile operator paid protection money to the Taliban and al-Qaeda—claims that MTN has firmly denied.

MTN CEO Ralph Mupita said that the group has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing. “We are cooperating fully with authorities and will defend ourselves against these legacy claims,” Mupita said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to transparency and compliance.

The investigation highlights the ongoing scrutiny multinational corporations face regarding past business practices in high-risk regions. MTN, which operates in multiple countries across Africa and the Middle East, remains under close observation as the legal process unfolds.