Iran’s Non-Oil Trade Growth Unshaken by Snapback Mechanism
WANA (Oct 27) – Despite renewed political pressure and the activation of the so-called “snapback mechanism” by Western powers, Iran’s non-oil exports continued to grow in the first half of the current Iranian year, signaling resilience in the country’s trade sector.
According to Seyed Rouhollah Latifi, spokesperson for the Trade Development Commission of Iran’s Chamber of Industry, Mine, and Trade, non-oil exports reached 74.99 million tons worth $25.94 billion between March and September 2025. This represents a 6% increase in volume compared to the same period last year, while export value remained stable despite foreign pressures.
During the same period, Iran imported 18.76 million tons of goods valued at $28.37 billion, marking a 2% rise in volume but a 15% drop in value. The country’s trade deficit, which stood at –$7.5 billion last year, has narrowed significantly to –$2.4 billion, reflecting improved export performance and managed imports focused on production needs.
Iran’s Non-Oil Trade Reaches $43.9 Billion in Five Months
WANA (Sep 02) – Iran recorded 76.5 million tons of non-oil trade worth $43.94 billion during the first five months of the current Iranian year, according to Faroud Asgari, Deputy Minister of Economy and Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA). Asgari announced that non-oil exports stood at 61.3 million tons, […]
Latifi dismissed concerns over the potential impact of the snapback mechanism on Iran’s trade, noting that the country has already endured far harsher unilateral U.S. sanctions. “Even under maximum pressure, Iran recorded $58 billion in non-oil exports last year, and oil sales have reportedly returned to pre-sanction levels,” he said.
He credited Iran’s “Look to the East” policy, strengthened ties with neighboring countries, and expanded trade with Asia, Africa, and Latin America for sustaining export growth.
Despite regional tensions, Latifi noted that the recent 12-day conflict and temporary port disruptions did not significantly affect exports, while imports continued to meet industrial and production demands. He also pointed to a record 22 million tons of foreign transit through Iran last year, underscoring the country’s geopolitical significance in regional trade.
Hidden Trade Between Beijing and Tehran Exposed
WANA (Oct 15) – A new report by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) reveals that China has built a network of parallel financial and trade systems that have become the core of Iran’s strategy to bypass international sanctions. According to the report, Beijing has designed covert oil-payment mechanisms and barter systems that […]
Preliminary customs data for the seven-month period indicate no disruption in trade flows since the activation of the snapback mechanism, he added.
He concluded that while sanctions can complicate trade, domestic mismanagement poses a greater threat. “Sanctions may make trade more difficult, but the experience of the past four decades shows that Iran’s trade never stopped — even under maximum pressure, it continued to grow and set new records.”
