Texas May Divest From Iran-Friendly Companies

AUSTIN, Texas —Governor Perry said he wants state pension funds to divest from companies doing business in Iran, similar to a move the funds are taking with companies tied to Sudan.

The Republican governor said Wednesday he is trying to determine whether he could start divesting without legislative approval. If he can't, he said, he might call a special session.

The divestment was advocated by Israeli officials with whom Mr. Perry met last month on a trip to Israel, Secretary of State Phil Wilson, who attended the meetings, said. He said the office doesn't yet have estimates of how much money in the funds is invested in companies with ties to Iran.

Iran "is a country that has a clear terrorist focus, has a clear mission to wipe a friendly democracy and a very close ally of the United States off of the face of the earth," Mr. Perry said, referring to President Ahmadinejad's calls for the destruction of Israel.