Direct iodination of aromatic hydrocarbons is not useful. why?

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Answer : The direct iodination of aromatic hydrocarbons is not a useful reaction because HI produced during the reaction being a strong reducing agent reduces aryl iodide back to the aromatic hydrocarbon and iodine.

direct iodination of benzene is a reversible reaction

To solve this problem, an oxidizing agent such as HNO3, HIO3, HgO etc., can be used which either oxidizes HI to iodine or removes HI as soon as it is formed by forming salt.

HI produced is oxidized to iodine using HIO3
HI produced can be removed as soon as it is formed using HgO
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