Exclusive - Glencore bartered with firm linked to Iran nuclear programme

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Commodities giant Glencore supplied thousands of tons of alumina to an Iranian firm that has provided aluminium to Iran's nuclear program, intelligence and diplomatic sources told Reuters.

The previously undisclosed barter arrangement between Glencore, the world's biggest commodities trader, and the Iranian Aluminium Company (Iralco) illustrates how difficult it is for Western powers to curb Iran's ability to trade with the rest of the world. Even as the West imposes stringent restrictions on banks that do business with Iran, United Nations diplomats say that Tehran keeps finding new ways to do business with willing partners.