Tasnim – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said the Islamic Republic attaches great importance to enhanced trade ties with neighboring countries.

"The expansion of economic cooperation with neighbors has been among Iran's main priorities," Seyed Abbas Mousavi in a meeting with Ardabil governor on Thursday.

He pointed out that Iran has 15 neighbors which can help it circumvent the sanctions and make them “ineffective”.

“Our country is currently experiencing an economy without oil (revenues). Therefore, the expansion of economic cooperation with neighbors as well as the contribution of the private sector to reduce economic pressures is important more than ever,” Mousavi said.

In April 2019, the United States said it would stop waivers for countries buying Iranian oil, in an attempt to push Iran’s oil exports to zero.

Efforts by the Trump administration to isolate Iran politically and economically began with Washington's withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers in 2018.