The agreement between Tehran and Washington holds out the prospect of sanctions relief and potentially unprecedented foreign investment, but many of its economic promises remain uncertain and some may prove difficult to deliver even if negotiations succeed. The relative strengthening of the Iranian rial suggests the agreement has already had a positive psychological impact. The
Iran may get a lifeline, but major obstacles remain Read More »
Iran’s imports of services surged to a record $25.5 billion in 2025 while merchandise imports fell sharply, according to newly released data from the Central Bank of Iran, highlighting a significant shift in the country’s trade structure. Services imports accounted for roughly one-third of Iran’s total imports during the year, an unusually high share for
Iran’s services imports surge as goods trade slumps Read More »
New data released by Iran’s Central Bank show that despite recording a trade surplus of nearly $27 billion in 2025, the country experienced a capital account deficit of roughly the same magnitude. In practical terms, Iran lost around $27 billion through capital flight last year alone—equivalent to approximately 8 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The figure
Iran’s Capital Flight Has Surged 4.5-Fold in Five Years Read More »
Author: Dalga Khatinoglu/The Islamic Republic of Iran’s disruption of oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has not only triggered a surge in oil prices and reduced China’s crude oil imports, but has also severely affected Beijing’s non-oil trade with Arab Gulf countries.China is the largest trading partner of the member states of the
Major Disruptions Hit China’s Trade with Gulf Arab States Read More »
China is showing growing unease over the economic and strategic costs of Iran’s confrontation with the United States, even as it continues to shield Tehran diplomatically at the United Nations. US President Donald Trump said during his recent visit to Beijing that Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz
China’s Iran balancing act grows more costly Read More »
Iran’s oil exports have collapsed since the US naval blockade began on April 13, with daily loadings falling from 2.1 million barrels to 567,000 barrels, according to tanker-tracking firm Kpler. Onshore storage and tankers in Iranian waters are filling up, and the government has begun cutting oil production. An Iran Open Data analysis of OPEC
Iran’s Foreign Reserves Cover One Year of Imports as Oil Exports Collapse Read More »
Iran’s foreign trade has suffered a sharp contraction in the first month of war with the United States and Israel, newly released customs data show, signaling a severe blow to the country’s already fragile economy. Figures from Iran’s customs administration show non-oil trade collapsed in the final month of the previous Iranian fiscal year (February
Iran’s foreign trade suffers wartime collapse Read More »
The economic toll of more than two months of war is visible in Iran, as a U.S. naval blockade and the effective halt of the Islamic Republic’s maritime trade triggers mounting pressure across the economy. The sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial is the clearest sign so far of a broader economic breakdown now unfolding.
The War’s Severe Damage to Iran’s Economy Comes Into View Read More »
With a tentative ceasefire expiring and an incomplete lifting of Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the central question now is whether Iran will receive meaningful relief—particularly in the form of sanctions easing—or whether the United States will tie the lifting of sanctions to conditions such as curbs on regional activities or missile capabilities.
Iran Under Pressure as War Exposes Deep Industrial Damage Read More »
Iran’s National Petrochemical Company has announced a blanket ban on the export of “all petrochemical products” until further notice. The stated aim of the decision is to “stabilize the domestic market and prevent shortages of feedstock and raw materials.” During the recent 39-day war, Israel carried out extensive strikes on Iran’s petrochemical facilities, particularly in
