Export statistics published by the Iranian government show much higher volumes than are visible from trading partner import statistics, largely because a great deal of Iranian material is transshipped through other Middle Eastern countries, noting especially UAE.

The United States’ Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned numerous UAE-based firms for operating vessels as part of Iran’s “shadow fleet” transporting oil and petrochemicals.

After being attacked by Iran, the UAE is now considering joining the US and other allies to open the Strait of Hormuz by force, according to Arab officials cited by the WSJ.

From International Trader Publications’ World Trade Analyses, continuously updated analyses based on the latest statistics from all publishing countries.