Trump targets Iran’s trade lifelines - here are the countries most exposed

Key Points:

• The U.S. launched an "economic D-Day" campaign aiming to isolate Iran from the global economy by threatening sanctions against entities continuing business with Tehran, targeting the trade lifeline sustaining Iran amid ongoing conflict.
• China, Iran's largest oil buyer accounting for about 90% of its oil exports, opposes U.S. sanctions openly but is expected to quietly increase compliance to avoid penalties, balancing official resistance with private caution.
• The United Arab Emirates, a major Iranian trade hub with $28 billion in bilateral trade in 2024, recently suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran following missile attacks, signaling a tougher stance amid U.S. pressure.
• Turkey and Iraq maintain significant energy and trade ties with Iran, with Turkey importing substantial Iranian natural gas and Iraq relying on Iranian electricity and gas, though both face potential disruptions due to new U.S. sanctions and regional instability.
• India, one of Iran's top trading partners, has reduced bilateral trade but resumed Iranian crude imports after a U.S. sanctions lift; however, continued U.S. threats to sanction entities dealing with Iran may challenge this renewed trade relationship.