Trade relations between the European Union and Iran continue to deteriorate, reaching their lowest level in two decades in 2025, with trade volume totaling €3.72 billion. This sharp decline is attributed to the economic sanctions imposed by the EU on Iran, which intensified following severe human rights violations and Tehran's support for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
According to data from Eurostat, imports from Iran amounted to approximately €760 million, while exports stood at €2.97 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of about €2.2 billion for the EU. However, these figures reflect a challenging economic reality for both parties, given that trade between them exceeded €27 billion in 2011.
After sanctions were imposed in 2011, trade sharply declined to €6.1 billion in 2013, but increased again following the nuclear agreement in 2015, reaching around €20.7 billion. Nevertheless, business plummeted again to €5.1 billion in 2019, and these declines have persisted despite ongoing attempts to bolster commercial relations.
Germany stands as Iran's largest trading partner within the EU, accounting for 31.8% of total trade in 2025. Its imports from Iran were valued at about €218 million, whereas exports reached €963 million, a significant decline compared to 2024.
Italy ranks second, recording 15.6% of total trade, with imports of €132 million and exports of €447 million. The Netherlands follows in third place, accounting for 15.5%, importing €58 million and exporting €517 million to Iran. Together, these three nations constitute approximately 62.9% of total trade between Iran and the EU.
Despite the significant challenges, Iran still represents a minor trading partner for the EU, contributing only 0.1% to EU exports in 2025, while its share of imports was close to zero.
The ongoing disputes in the global energy market, driven by broader regional conflicts, including the war in Iran and its impact on oil markets, raise concerns about potential supply disruptions. These developments come at a time when the entire world is grappling with increasing energy price volatility, which may complicate the situation for energy traders and policymakers in Europe.
As Europe undergoes significant shifts in its economic policy towards Iran, the high political and economic tensions remain structural and palpable. As long as debates over human rights and military support for Russia continue, the challenges associated with trade relations will persist.