Iran has warned the South Korean companies Samsung and LG: if you quit the Iranian market because of US sanctions, don’t try to come back.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi put out the message on Friday, saying a return to Iran will be difficult for those who have been “strong-armed by the United States to leave”.

Samsung and LG held a large share of the Iranian market in consumer items and appliances such as TVs and radios, air conditioners, and tablets. Before its pullout, Samsung provided more than 60% of smartphones in the Islamic Republic.

Samsung and LG stopped exports and producation as the Trump Administration imposed comprehensive sanctions in November 2018. However, Samsung declared in April 2019, “We are committed to doing our best so that the Iranian people continue to have access to our innovative products,” and both companies still advertise in the country.

Mousavi reinforced his statement with a tweet showing a Samsung banner being pulled down: “[We will] not forget friends who stand by our side at times of hardship.”

Illegally imported Samsung smartphones are still plentiful in some parts of Iran. However, in an e-mail to subscribers, Samsung said they cannot buy products and applications from the Galaxy Store after February 25.

The company said the decision was taken because of difficulties with money transfers in Iranian currency.

Alireza Mousavi Majd, head of the Iranian Association for Audio and Video Accessories, declared that infrastructure left by Samsung and LG will be used by Iranian subsidiaries to manufacture home appliances, TVs, and computer monitors.