Iran imported 5.9 million tonnes of wheat in the 2008-09 year, of which about 15 percent came from the United States, an Iranian business daily reported.
Iran stopped buying US wheat after the Iranian revolution in 1979 which ousted the pro-US government. But one official said in November Iran was importing wheat from the United States via intermediaries. His comments were the first official admission that such an indirect trade was taking place.
Iranian wheat imports jumped last year due to a drought that hit domestic production. Iran has in the past said it prefers to buy wheat from Central Asian countries, Australia and Argentina.
But the Abrar-e Eqtesadi newspaper, citing customs statistics, said Iran in the year that ended on March 20 imported wheat from 15 countries, with most coming from Switzerland, Canada and the United States.
The amount of US wheat that arrived in Iran during the year was estimated at almost 905,000 tonnes, the newspaper said, without giving comparisons. Other newspapers carried similar reports.
The United States, which severed ties with Tehran in 1980, has in recent years spearheaded a drive to isolate the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear programme. The West suspects the programme has military aims, a charge Tehran denies.
Food and agricultural products are not included in US sanctions imposed on Iran. - Reuters
Iran stopped buying US wheat after the Iranian revolution in 1979 which ousted the pro-US government. But one official said in November Iran was importing wheat from the United States via intermediaries. His comments were the first official admission that such an indirect trade was taking place.
Iranian wheat imports jumped last year due to a drought that hit domestic production. Iran has in the past said it prefers to buy wheat from Central Asian countries, Australia and Argentina.
But the Abrar-e Eqtesadi newspaper, citing customs statistics, said Iran in the year that ended on March 20 imported wheat from 15 countries, with most coming from Switzerland, Canada and the United States.
The amount of US wheat that arrived in Iran during the year was estimated at almost 905,000 tonnes, the newspaper said, without giving comparisons. Other newspapers carried similar reports.
The United States, which severed ties with Tehran in 1980, has in recent years spearheaded a drive to isolate the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear programme. The West suspects the programme has military aims, a charge Tehran denies.
Food and agricultural products are not included in US sanctions imposed on Iran. - Reuters
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