Financial Tribune

a total of 11 million tons of essential goods have been imported via Iranian ports in the first five months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Aug. 22), an official with Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran said.

“The volume of imports indicates a 67% rise compared with last year's corresponding period,” Ravanbakhsh Behzadian was also quoted as saying by IRNA.

Ever since last year’s imposition of anti-Iran sanctions claimed by US President Donald Trump as "toughest ever", the Iranian government has focused efforts on importing essential goods, mainly food products and pharmaceuticals. On the other hand, imports of what the government deems non-essential goods, mainly those with domestic counterparts, have been restricted or banned.

The sanctions were imposed after Trump decided to unilaterally walk out of the nuclear deal Iran signed with world powers, including the United States.