Associated Press: Economic Sanctions Have Hit Traditional Carpet Weavers in Iran

The Associated Press has published a detailed report examining the impact of economic sanctions on the activities of traditional carpet weavers in Iran, who are facing numerous challenges. According to the news agency, the historic market of Kashan in central Iran is known worldwide for its exquisite silk carpets, but following the collapse of the Islamic Republic's nuclear agreement with global powers and the increase in widespread tensions with the West, weavers of these carpets are struggling to sell their products. Based on statistics from Iran's state customs, the country's carpet exports, which were over two billion dollars two decades ago, fell to less than 50 million dollars last year. The news agency wrote that due to the conditions in Iran, fewer foreign tourists are traveling to the country, and on the other hand, due to problems with international transactions, Iranian carpets are not selling. According to Ali Faez, the owner of a carpet shop in the Kashan market, Americans were among the best customers for Iranian carpets, showing great enthusiasm for purchasing this luxury item and buying many carpets in the past. The carpet weaving industry of Kashan is registered on UNESCO's list of 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.' Many Iranian carpet weavers are women, and the necessary skills for creating this traditional product are passed down from generation to generation. Weaving a fine carpet is a complex process that may take months. However, the report by the Associated Press hardly mentions the working conditions or wages of female weavers. The news agency noted that Western and foreign tourists have been the best customers for Iranian carpets for decades, purchasing exquisite carpets as souvenirs during their travels to the country. However, according to the Associated Press, the 1979 Revolution changed this situation, and following the occupation of the U.S. embassy by revolutionaries, Tehran's connections with militias, and other issues, the United States imposed extensive economic sanctions against the Iranian religious government. Over the past four decades, the import of Iranian carpets to the U.S. has been banned and allowed several times by different U.S. administrations. After the collapse of the JCPOA, the entry of Iranian carpets into the United States was once again prohibited. U.S. economic sanctions against Tehran have been imposed for reasons such as support for terrorism, regional militia groups, and the Islamic Republic's missile and drone programs. The ban on importing Iranian carpets to the U.S., one of the best global markets for this luxury item, is considered a heavy blow for Iranian carpet weavers. According to Abdollah Bahrami, head of the National Association of Handwoven Carpet Producers, the annual export value of Iranian carpets to the U.S. before sanctions was about 80 million dollars. The decline in travel by American and European tourists to Kashan is another reason for the poor economic situation of carpet weavers. Given the current conditions in Iran and the region, the entry of these tourists to Kashan, who are the best customers for Iranian carpets, has largely stopped. According to Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iran's Minister of Tourism, about six million foreign tourists entered Iran in the past 12 months. However, this number likely includes religious pilgrims, as well as Afghans and Iraqis who do not have much money to spend on purchasing Iranian carpets. Even those foreign tourists eager to buy carpets face problems due to challenges with Iran's financial system and the fact that no international credit cards work in the country. According to Ali Faez, payment challenges and the hassle of transferring money lead some foreign customers to cancel their orders. Meanwhile, the collapse of the rial's value has made it so that many Iranians also cannot afford to buy handwoven carpets. This situation has led to a decrease in purchases and production of carpets, and many traditional workshops are operating with minimal staff. According to Javad Amorzesh, a designer and one of the few old artists in Kashan, he used to receive ten orders a year, but now only receives orders for two carpets. This designer has had to let go of his assistants due to the poor economic conditions and now works with only two people in his small workshop. The Islamic Republic has withdrawn from membership in two cultural heritage organizations and one international scientific body. The crisis in Iranian carpet exports; weaving is no longer economically viable. Iranian carpets have seen a 98% reduction in exports and the migration of repairmen.