Trade Resumes with Iran After Week-Long Suspension
Abbas Aziz, Director of Raperin Customs, noted that between 150 to 250 trucks cross the border daily, carrying various goods.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Trade activity at the Kele border crossing between the Kurdistan Region and Iran resumed on Thursday, following a one-week suspension due to heavy snowfall.
Trade Flow Restored
Speaking to Kurdistan24, Abbas Aziz, Director of Raperin Customs, confirmed that commercial traffic had officially restarted at Kele, with trucks from Iran now entering the Kurdistan Region. He noted that between 150 to 250 trucks cross the border daily, carrying various goods. "Around 60% of the shipments consist of construction materials, while the remaining 40% include food supplies," he stated.
A Key Trade Route
The Kele border, situated between the Raperin Autonomous Administration and Sardasht in Iran, serves as one of several crossings facilitating trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran. In addition to major border points such as Bashmakh and Haji Omran, smaller crossings like Siranbin, and Tawila play a significant role in regional commerce.
Strengthening Economic Ties
This development aligns with ongoing efforts to bolster economic relations between the Kurdistan Region and Iran.
During a press conference in Erbil on Feb. 17, 2025, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht Ravanchi, emphasized the strong ties between Tehran and Erbil, highlighting shared interests that contribute to deepening bilateral relations. He further underscored the importance of economic cooperation.
Similarly, Kamaran Salah, Deputy Head of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce, had earlier stated in August 2024 that trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran was expected to see significant growth, with total trade volume reaching $2.4 billion that year. The revival of trade at Kele is expected to further enhance this economic partnership.
The reopening of the Kele crossing marks an important step in sustaining trade flows between the Kurdistan Region and Iran, reinforcing the economic interdependence between the two sides.
