MTN is forging ahead now that a $4.2 billion lawsuit against it has been dropped. MTN has 'welcomed' Turkcell's decision to drop its $4.2 billion lawsuit against MTN before the US District Court of Columbia over the awarding of Iran's second mobile licence to MTN in 2005. MTN opposed Turkcell's claim, which hinged on allegations of bribery, saying it lacked legal merit and that there was no basis for it to be brought before a US court. On May 1, 2013, Turkcell withdrew the claim. This followed April month's ruling by the US Supreme Court restricting the ability of foreign corporations to bring before US courts cases alleging corporate misconduct that took place outside the United States.

MTN president and CEO Sifiso Dabengwa has announced that the Supreme Court ruling on April 17, 2013 in the Iran saga strengthens MTN's case considerably. MTN has hailed a US Supreme Court ruling as a major boost to its defense against a $4.2 billion lawsuit from rival operator Turkcell. Turkcell is suing MTN in a US federal court using a 224-year-old law. However, the US Supreme Court limited the ability of human rights plaintiffs to invoke that law - a ruling seen as a major victory for foreign multinationals. The federal court had delayed ruling on the Turkcell suit filed a year ago, pending the outcome of Supreme Court ruling on April 17, 2013. Turkcell alleges that MTN used bribery and peddling of political influence to win a mobile license in Iran that was first awarded to Turkcell. MTN has denied the charges.

MTN Group Limited seeks acquisitions. "Growth through M&A is still an important part of our strategy. Anything between $4 and $8 billion is something that we could look at," Sifiso Dabengwa, MTN's Chief Executive Officer said. MTN is now looking to Southeast Asia, and was one of 90 operators to initially express interest in a license in Myanmar, which is seen as having a high potential for growth. Dabengwa said he would also be interested in acquiring a North African operator, to help diversify earnings.