Tehran: The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) announced that the country's non-oil exports have reached $15 billion since the beginning of the year. Foroud Asgari disclosed these figures during the 43rd meeting of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (TCCIMA) on Tuesday.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Asgari detailed that both exports and imports of non-oil commercial goods were recorded at $15 billion and $17 billion, respectively. However, this marks an average decrease of 24 percent compared to the same period last year. Addressing the import sector, Asgari explained that policies have prioritized goods with foreign exchange importance, leading to a reduction in the import of lower-priority items.

Asgari highlighted a significant decline in mobile phone imports, with only one million units imported this year compared to 3,160,000 units during the first five months of last year, indicating a 70 percent decrease in value. Conversely, he reported that 25,000 vehicles have been cleared in 2026, reflecting a 67 percent increase from the same period last year.

The IRICA chief also discussed the state of basic goods in Iranian ports, noting that 9.5 million out of 39 million tons of total imports are basic goods, with 4.5 million tons currently located across 13 ports. Specifically, 3 million tons are stored at Imam Khomeini Port, while about one million tons are distributed among 12 other ports. Asgari emphasized the importance of facilitating port and customs operations to ensure the prompt meeting of the country's needs.

Additionally, Asgari addressed border-related issues affecting exports to neighboring countries, underscoring the necessity for consultations to resolve border restrictions with Turkiye, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan. He pointed out that some borders, including those with Turkiye, still face restrictions that require higher-level negotiations, while operational challenges persist at crossings with Azerbaijan.

Regarding exports to Pakistan, Asgari noted that despite potential to send a large number of trucks, the capacity or conditions on the other side often hinder full realization of this potential.