Tehran: Following a series of precision strikes by Israel on Iran’s key industrial infrastructure, the Iranian government has imposed a complete ban on the export of petrochemical products to safeguard domestic supplies. A senior official responsible for downstream sectors of the National Petrochemical Company issued a directive on Tuesday, ordering all petrochemical companies to suspend exports until further notice. The move comes at a time when the Islamic Republic is trying to protect its domestic manufacturing base from production disruptions caused by recent conflicts.
According to a report, the main objective of this ban is to stabilize domestic markets after the damage caused by recent attacks and ensure a continuous supply of raw materials to various industries. Tehran is hoping that by blocking international exports of these materials, it will prevent an industrial crisis at home. In fact, in recent weeks, Israel targeted major petrochemical production centers in Iran’s Assaluyeh (South Pars) and Mahshahr. These attacks specifically targeted companies that provide utilities such as electricity, water, and oxygen to petrochemical plants, severely disrupting production.
Further exacerbating this internal production crisis is the growing pressure of the maritime blockade. The US military has launched operations to blockade ships bound for Iranian ports, aiming to reduce Iran’s export revenues and increase pressure on Tehran. Both sides are considering another round of peace talks during the current ceasefire. Despite regional instability, the Iranian government is attempting to project an image of internal stability. According to news agency reports, domestic prices of petrochemicals and related products remain at pre-conflict levels despite rising global prices. This policy has been adopted to protect local consumers and factories from inflationary shocks.
However, this ban is expected to have a profound impact on the Iranian economy. According to the news agency, Iran exports approximately 29 million tons of petrochemical products annually, generating revenues of approximately US$13 billion. Despite this significant loss of foreign exchange, the government has decided to suspend exports, prioritizing domestic needs and survival.
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