JOHANNESBURG - MTN expects its reported profits to fall in the first half of the year.
This is mainly because the value of its investment in Irancell has fallen.
The telco expects headline earnings per share for the six months to June to be flat to 10 percent lower.
Earnings per share could fall by as much as 30 percent.
MTN says the main reason is that it has had to reduce the value of its investment in Iran, due to the conflict.
But it says this does not reflect the performance of its core operations.
Business in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda continues to grow, with higher profits and strong cash generation.
MTN says cash flowing back to the parent company also remained strong.
The group says regulatory approval is now the only hurdle to its planned acquisition of IHS Towers.
MTN will release its full interim results on 24 August.