TEHRAN- The U.S. exported over $112.3 million worth of products to Iran during the first five months of 2015, a 60 percent rise from $70.3 million in the same period of time in 2014, according to the latest report released by the U.S. Commerce Department. 

The U.S. had no imports from Iran during January-May 2015, the Tasnim News Agency reported on Sunday. 

The Iran-U.S. trade totaled $182.1 million in 2014, with one hundred percent of the sum related to U.S. exports to Iran.

The value of trade between Iran and the U.S. dropped 42 percent in 2014 from 2013.

On May 23, Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture Gholamreza Shafei said the Iranian government has given the green light to private business owners to forge trade ties with their American counterparts.  

He said the government had “advised” for initial connection between the two countries’ private sectors before formal trade links could take shape.  

“Unofficial connections could pave the way for establishment of joint chambers of commerce between Iran and America,” the official stated; adding that the idea of setting up a joint chamber of commerce with the Americans is being mooted for 10 months now.
  
MA