The head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce has called for national unity and pragmatic policymaking to neutralize the costs of the US-led economic war against the country, emphasizing that smart, interest-driven decisions are essential to sustaining Iran's trade networks.

Speaking at the 30th National Export Day ceremony on Wednesday, Samad Hassanzadeh highlighted the current "neither war nor peace" environment, which is heavily characterized by uncertainty, severe economic pressure, and deliberate threats to maritime transport routes.

He noted that the hostile US administration continuously attempts to inflate transaction costs and disrupt supply chains to cripple Iran’s economic competitiveness.

Despite the backdrop of decades of unilateral coercive measures and financial blockades, Hassanzadeh praised Iranian exporters for their steadfast resilience.

He noted that the private sector has successfully maintained production, employment, and currency generation, refusing to let the country's export flows halt under the weight of American economic terrorism.

To counter these external pressures and streamline domestic operations, Hassanzadeh proposed the immediate formation of a "continuous foreign trade headquarters."

This operational task force would integrate the government, the private sector, customs, and the Central Bank to diversify transportation corridors, ease border formalities, and strengthen risk management and insurance for high-risk shipping routes.

Addressing domestic financial hurdles, the Chamber chief urged a pragmatic overhaul of currency repatriation policies.

He stressed the need to align these rules with the realities of trading under a sanctions regime, calling for an end to punitive measures against reputable exporters and demanding flexible timelines for fulfilling currency commitments to protect the country's economic credibility.

Iran’s economy has moved past ‘war shock,’ chamber chief says

Head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture Samad Hassanzadeh says the country’s economy has moved past the sharp downturn caused by the recent war, with economic activity resuming.

Furthermore, Hassanzadeh emphasized the need to transform economic diplomacy into an operational tool to secure tariff and transport agreements with neighboring countries.

He warned that without logical support and a strategic shift toward high value-added, knowledge-based exports, Iran risks losing hard-won international markets to regional competitors.

Concluding his remarks, he called for a fundamental redefinition of the relationship between the state and the private sector.

He asserted that the government must focus on transparent regulation, macro-policymaking, and infrastructure development, thereby empowering the private sector to drive investment, innovation, and sustainable market expansion.