Reported by Patricia Cohen and Robert Gebeloff

(Summary featured below. To read full report, go to: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/13/business/economy/iran-imports-exports-china.html?searchResultPosition=2)

For nearly half a century, Iran has existed under the weight of sweeping international sanctions, cast as a global outlier because of its nuclear ambitions, support for militant groups and record on human rights. Yet those restrictions, imposed by the United States and its allies, have not fully severed the country’s economic ties. Instead, Iran has continued to trade with much of the world, underscoring the limits of sanctions as a tool of isolation.

A review of global trade patterns shows that Iran has exchanged goods with more than 170 countries since 2019, even as its economy has endured inflation, unemployment and periodic unrest. While overall trade volumes have declined, the country has maintained access to essential imports like food, electronics and industrial components, while continuing to export oil, gas and a growing array of non-petroleum goods. The result is an economy weakened but far from immobilized.

Over time, Iran has reoriented its trade away from Europe and toward Asia, particularly China, as well as neighboring countries. China has emerged as Tehran’s most important economic partner, purchasing the vast majority of its oil exports and supplying a significant share of its imports. Transactions often bypass the dollar and Western financial systems, relying instead on China’s currency or informal arrangements, including barter and opaque financial channels designed to evade sanctions enforcement.

Sanctions have also reshaped the structure of Iran’s economy. Once heavily dependent on oil, the country has diversified into metals, agriculture and manufactured goods, exporting everything from iron and aluminum to dairy products and fruit. Regional partners such as Iraq and Turkey, alongside China, now account for a substantial portion of this trade. At the same time, Iran has expanded domestic production in sectors like automobiles, steel and pharmaceuticals, seeking greater self-reliance in response to restricted access to foreign inputs.

Still, Iran’s economic resilience faces new strains as conflict with the United States and Israel disrupts infrastructure and trade routes, including the vital Strait of Hormuz. The damage from military strikes and the risk of prolonged instability threaten to set back growth for years. Even if hostilities ease, recovery will depend heavily on whether sanctions are lifted. Until then, Iran’s experience illustrates a central paradox: while external pressure can constrain an economy, it can also drive adaptation, enabling it to endure in unexpected ways.