As Iran needs to produce more iron ore to meet the growing domestic demand for steel production, Iran’s iron ore exports have declined in recent years. As of March 20 this year, Iranian iron ore exports have been reduced from the peak of 25 million metric tons per year a few years ago to 18 million metric tons. In addition, because almost all of Iran’s export iron ore is destined for China, the export of ore in the short term will not be directly affected by the resumption of economic sanctions by the United States.