Iran Calls for Direct Trade with Saudi Arabia

TEHRAN (Iran News) Hassanzadeh, who was in Mecca to attend the 41st General Assembly of the Islamic Chamber, emphasized the importance of direct trade channels between Iran and Sausdi Arabia. He proposed the reciprocal dispatch and reception of trade delegations and the organization of a dedicated trade exhibition in Saudi Arabia to showcase Iranian commercial capacities. “Currently, Iran and Saudi Arabia do not have direct commercial exchanges,” he said, stressing the need to remove intermediaries and establish a direct trade framework between the two countries.

The Iranian official highlighted the country’s capabilities in food industries, which meet international standards and are exported worldwide, as a potential area for expanding trade with Saudi Arabia. He also suggested using the Port of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, as a primary entry point for Iranian goods, citing its strategic proximity for facilitating commerce.

Hassanzadeh further proposed organizing a dedicated Iranian trade exhibition in Saudi Arabia alongside the visit of a Saudi trade delegation to Iran. He extended an invitation to Sheikh Kamel to visit Iran to gain firsthand familiarity with the country’s economic and industrial capacities.

During the meeting, Hassanzadeh stressed the broader potential of Islamic countries to develop an independent trade route among themselves through the creation of a shared financial exchange center. “Islamic countries have the capacity to establish an independent trade mechanism and strengthen their collective economic resilience,” he said. He urged that such cohesion would allow member countries to respond collectively to external pressures or economic attacks, reducing their vulnerability on the global stage.

Sheikh Saleh Kamel welcomed the proposals, underlining the importance of establishing direct commercial ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. He assured that the idea would be raised with senior officials in Saudi Arabia for follow-up. Kamel also expressed support for the exchange of trade delegations and the organization of the Iranian trade exhibition in Saudi Arabia, describing these measures as an opportunity to facilitate bilateral negotiations and enhance cooperation between the two countries’ business communities.

The meeting included board members of the Saudi Chambers Federation and emphasized strengthening collaboration across various economic sectors, including industrial production, trade facilitation, and logistics. Both sides agreed on the strategic importance of expanding bilateral trade and fostering closer economic ties between Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the broader Islamic world.

The discussions reflect growing interest in leveraging economic diplomacy to reinforce ties within the Islamic world and to overcome barriers imposed by intermediaries, sanctions, or other global trade restrictions. Establishing direct trade and a dedicated financial exchange platform is seen as a key step toward increasing regional self-reliance and economic integration.