France’s Domestic Political Turmoil Hurts Trade with Iran More Than Sanctions

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking to Iran Chamber Online, Mehdi Mir-Emadi, President of the Iran–France Joint Chamber of Commerce, said that while no precise data is currently available on bilateral trade, indications show a clear decline.

Iran’s exports to France grew by 23 percent in 2024, reaching 21 million euros,” Mir-Emadi said. “However, Iran’s imports from France have decreased. The domestic political turmoil in France has accelerated and deepened the downward trend in trade relations to the point where no accurate statistics are currently available.”

He added that a small volume of trade continues indirectly through third countries such as the UAE (Dubai) and Turkey, but even these transactions lack reliable figures.

Mir-Emadi emphasized that the negative effects of France’s internal political situation on trade with Iran are greater than those caused by sanctions. He noted that as long as France’s domestic political issues remain unresolved, there is little hope for even a modest recovery in bilateral trade.

The chamber head also referred to trade statistics from recent years, pointing out that despite the current turmoil, Eurostat data for 2023 ranked France as Iran’s fifth-largest trading partner within the European Union.

However, trade between the two nations has been on a steady decline over the past five years — dropping from approximately €400 million in 2019 to €276 million in 2024, representing a 30 percent decrease overall.

Iran’s exports to France grew by 23 percent in 2024, reaching 21 million euros,” Mir-Emadi said. “However, Iran’s imports from France have decreased. The domestic political turmoil in France has accelerated and deepened the downward trend in trade relations to the point where no accurate statistics are currently available.”

He added that a small volume of trade continues indirectly through third countries such as the UAE (Dubai) and Turkey, but even these transactions lack reliable figures.

Mir-Emadi emphasized that the negative effects of France’s internal political situation on trade with Iran are greater than those caused by sanctions. He noted that as long as France’s domestic political issues remain unresolved, there is little hope for even a modest recovery in bilateral trade.

The chamber head also referred to trade statistics from recent years, pointing out that despite the current turmoil, Eurostat data for 2023 ranked France as Iran’s fifth-largest trading partner within the European Union.