Many countries still do business with Iran, especially in Asia and the Middle East, despite U.S. sanctions and new tariff threats from Washington. The biggest partners include China, the UAE, Turkey, India, Iraq, and Russia, with others like Brazil and some European states involved to a more limited or indirect extent.

Key trading partners (Quick Scoop)

The countries most frequently identified as major trading partners or commercial counterparts of Iran include:

  • China – Iran’s largest overall trading partner, buying energy and selling a wide range of consumer and industrial goods.
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE) – A crucial re‑export and financial hub, often used as an intermediary channel for Iran‑related trade.
  • Turkey – Active in energy, consumer goods, and transit trade between Iran and Europe/Asia.
  • India – Purchases Iranian commodities (historically including oil) and exports pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, and manufactured goods.
  • Iraq – Major importer of Iranian electricity, gas, and consumer goods due to geographic proximity.
  • Russia – Growing cooperation in energy, military‑adjacent sectors, and sanctioned‑economy “swap” style arrangements.
  • Brazil – More limited volume, but involved in agricultural and commodity trade with Iran.
  • Other Gulf states (e.g., Oman, sometimes Qatar) – Play roles in niche or indirect trade, logistics, and shipping.
  • Selected EU countries (e.g., Germany, Italy) – Reduced compared with pre‑sanctions years, but some non‑sanctioned industrial and medical trade still occurs, often tightly controlled.

In practice, a significant share of commerce flows through intermediaries, free‑trade zones, or re‑export hubs like Dubai, which can blur the line between “direct” and “indirect” business with Iran.

Recent twist: the 25% U.S. tariff threat

  • In early 2026, President Donald Trump announced that any country “doing business with Iran” would face a 25% tariff on its dealings with the United States , sharply raising the political and economic cost of trading with Tehran.
  • Reports highlight China, the UAE, Turkey, India, Iraq, Brazil and Russia among the main countries potentially affected because of their ongoing commerce with Iran.

This has turned “what countries do business with Iran” into a highly trending topic , as governments and companies reassess whether continued trade with Iran is worth higher costs or possible secondary pressure from Washington.

How they do business (and what they trade)

Even under heavy sanctions, Iran’s economy plugs into the global system via a mix of direct and indirect channels.

  • Energy exports
    • Crude oil and condensates (often routed to Asia, with China widely reported as a key buyer, sometimes via opaque arrangements).
* Natural gas and electricity exports to neighboring states such as Iraq and Turkey.
  • Non‑oil exports
    • Petrochemicals, steel, minerals, cement, and agricultural products go to regional partners and some Asian markets.
  • Imports into Iran
    • Machinery, industrial equipment, cars and parts, electronics, cereals, and pharmaceuticals from countries like China, the UAE, Turkey, India, and selected European suppliers.

Because of sanctions and banking restrictions, trade often uses barter‑like arrangements, local currencies, or third‑country banks and brokers , which makes exact partner lists and volumes difficult to verify in real time.

Direct vs indirect partners

Some countries maintain more open, official trade ties, while others interact with Iran more cautiously or indirectly.

  • A 2020s pattern shows China, Russia, Turkey, the UAE, and Oman cited as states with notable direct trade channels, while other countries may move goods through those hubs.
  • European and some Asian firms are more likely to participate in narrow, humanitarian‑related or legally exempt trade , or to pull back entirely when U.S. secondary sanctions or tariff risks rise.

Simple table: main partners often mentioned

[9][7] [3][7] [1][7][3] [7][9] [3][7] [1][3] [1][3] [8][6] [4][8][1]
Country Role in trade with Iran
China Largest trading partner; buys energy, sells manufactured goods.
United Arab Emirates Re‑export and financial hub; major intermediary.
Turkey Regional trade and transit partner, including energy.
India Buys commodities, exports medicines, food, and goods.
Iraq Imports Iranian electricity, gas, and consumer products.
Russia Strategic cooperation, energy and sanctioned‑economy links.
Brazil Commodity and agricultural trade, smaller but visible.
Oman & Gulf states Logistics, niche trade, some indirect flows.
Germany, Italy (EU) Limited, often non‑sanctioned industrial/medical trade.
**TL;DR:** Countries like China, the UAE, Turkey, India, Iraq, Russia, and Brazil are among those that still do business with Iran, often through complex or indirect channels—and a new U.S. 25% tariff threat is putting all of them under fresh pressure.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.