UK-Iran trade hits eight-year high as Turkish imports surge
Trade between Britain and Iran rose to its highest level in eight years in 2025, while Turkey's imports from Iran climbed sharply in the first five months of 2026, according to official data released by the two countries.
According to Eghtesad-e Moaser website, Britain's Department for Business and Trade said total bilateral trade with Iran increased 8% year-on-year to 438 million pounds (about $586 million) the highest level since 2017. Separately, Turkey's statistical authority said the country's imports from Iran rose 24% to $1.28 billion in January-May 2026.
British exports to Iran totaled 288 million pounds in 2025, while imports from Iran reached 150 million pounds, leaving Britain with a trade surplus of 138 million pounds. Both British exports to Iran and imports from Iran increased 8% from the previous year.
Iran ranked as Britain's 112th-largest trading partner in 2025, according to the British data.
Of Britain's total exports to Iran, 66 million pounds consisted of goods and 222 million pounds of services. Goods exports rose 1.5% from a year earlier, while services exports increased 9.9%.
Britain imported 24 million pounds of goods and 126 million pounds of services from Iran in 2025. Commodity imports from Iran jumped 50% year-on-year, while services imports rose 2.4%.
Medical and pharmaceutical products were Britain's largest goods export to Iran in 2025, while general industrial machinery was the country's largest import category from Iran.
Turkish imports rose 24%
Separately, data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute showed bilateral trade between Iran and Turkey reached $2.38 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 5% from $2.26 billion in the same period a year earlier.
Turkey's exports to Iran fell 10% to $1.1 billion in January-May 2026 from $1.23 billion in the corresponding period of 2025.
Turkey's imports from Iran, however, rose 24% to $1.28 billion from $1.03 billion a year earlier, leaving Iran with a trade surplus of $180 million in bilateral trade over the five-month period.