Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar.26
By Fatih Karimov - Trend:
Iran exported over 20 million tons of iron ore in the first eleven months of the previous calendar year, which ended on March 20, 2014, IRNA reported on March 26.
The country exported about 20.147 million tons of iron ore, worth more than $1 billion in the mentioned period.
China was the main importer of iron ore from Iran, the report added.
Iranian officials say the country's domestic need for steel production units caused a sharp decline in the country's iron ore exports last year.
China, Russia and Kazakhstan are among the few trade allies still providing a lifeline to Iran's vital steel and iron ore sector after most Western suppliers and buyers have cut ties due to growing sanctions pressure, Reuters reported in May.