International sanctions have had an impact on Iran's trade and foreign investments, especially from the US. As a result, Iran expanded its economic cooperation and trade with other developing countries such as China and India. India, in particular, has been an active trading partner, increasing its trade with Iran 80 percent within the 2007 year.
However in April 2011,the US exerted pressure on India's trade relations with Iran resulting in issues with India’s payments to Iran for crude oi - halting US$12.77 billion worth of payments from India to Iran for crude oil. Yet, despite recent international sanctions, rising oil prices have ensured Iran’s export revenues continue to increase - from US$70.16 billion in 2009 to US$78.69 billion in 2010.
Total value of exports: US$78.69 billion (2010 estimate)
Primary exports - commodities: petroleum, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets
Primary export partners: China (16.58 percent of total exports), Japan (11.9 percent), India (10.54 percent), South Korea (7.54 percent), Turkey (4.36 percent)
Total value of imports: $58.97 billion (2010 estimate)
Primary imports - commodities: industrial supplies, capital goods, foodstuff and other consumer goods, technical services
Primary import partners: United Arab Emirates (15.14 percent of total imports), China (13.48 percent), Germany (9.66 percent), South Korea (7.16 percent), Italy (5.27 percent), Russia (4.81 percent), India (4.12 percent)
Oil exports: 2.4 million bbl/day
Natural gas exports: 5.4 billion cu m (2010)