Geology Journal Rejects 2 Papers Whose Authors Have Ties to Iran.

The article reports that the American Association of Petroleum Geologists has rejected the manuscripts submitted to its AAPG Bulletin in the United States. The papers were rejected because of their authors' connections to Iran. In one case the author worked for the National Iranian Oil Company and in the other case the author had received data from the Iranian oil company. The publisher clarifies that the rules in the United States allow the publishers to edit and publish papers by authors in certain countries under a trade embargo, including Iran, but the authors should not be the part of that country's government. The U.S. Treasury Department rule also covers Cuba and Sudan. The authors were first got the information that their papers were accepted for publishing. The director of the association comments that the association does not have any disagreement to publish the paper but they have to abide by the rules of the nation. The issue triggered controversies debates.