Iran establishes economic war headquarters to deal with US sanctions

Iran's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance recently announced the establishment of an "economic war headquarters" to improve coordination and expedite efforts to address economic challenges arising from wartime conditions.

The measure comes as Iran, in addition to facing decades-long sanctions, sustained considerable economic damage from U.S. and Israeli strikes that started on Feb 28. The country has also been under a U.S.-imposed naval blockade for the past few months and recently faced intensified economic pressure from the U.S.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced "the most crushing economic operation ever taken" against any country, stressing that this will be economic warfare and isolation "on an unprecedented scale."

Iran's Deputy Economy Minister for Economic Policymaking and Strategy, Morteza Zamanian, said the economic war headquarters' primary focus is on the economy ministry's responsibilities and authority.

It seeks to accelerate efforts to resolve wartime problems facing Iranian businesses, trade, financing operations and other economic sectors, he said.

He noted that some issues are beyond the ministry's authority and require coordination among various government bodies and follow-ups at the highest levels.

Iran's recent priority is to ensure the supply of essential goods and medicines.

The Plan and Budget Organization head Seyed Hamid Pourmohammadi said the country has developed a plan and is drawing on resources from the National Development Fund to replenish these strategic reserves.

Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance, also noted that the government has mobilized its financial system and bond market to provide liquidity to enterprises affected by the conflict.

Iran is further working to reduce logistics costs by streamlining customs procedures. Zamanian noted that the government is revising some customs regulations and minimizing vehicle delays at border crossings.

The country is also accelerating efforts to diversify its trade, transport, and settlement channels, actively advancing international initiatives such as fostering banking cooperation and facilitating trade and investment, and has proposed using economic diplomacy as a tool to counter U.S. sanctions.

China opened 15 new international air cargo routes in September, adding 42 round-trip flights per week, the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP)’s air logistics division said on Sunday.

The newly launched routes included nine to Asia, four to Europe, and two to North America.

The cargo transported on the routes mainly included cross-border e-commerce goods, fresh food and agricultural products, electromechanical and electronic products, high-end manufactured goods, and consumer goods for daily use.

The flights are operated by nine airlines, eight of which are Chinese carriers.

According to CFLP’s air logistics division, China had opened a total of 130 new international air cargo routes as of September 30 this year, adding more than 334 round-trip flights per week.