The once glorious status quo of Persian carpets

The ancient Kashan market in central Iran was once located on a major caravan route, and handmade carpets have been famous since ancient times, known as Persian carpets. But for those weavers trying to sell carpets under ancient arches, the current situation is not optimistic. Iranian carpets account for 20% of the global carpet market, but in recent years, due to the decline in international market demand and severe sanctions imposed by the United States such as trade embargoes and financial blockades on Iran, the Iranian handmade carpet industry has suffered a heavy blow. In Iran, handmade carpets cannot compete with cheap woven carpets, and the stalls in the street vendor market are gradually being eroded by clothing stores.

Firstly, the carpet industry has been repeatedly affected by economic fluctuations in recent years. In recent years, it has repeatedly suffered heavy blows from economic crises, and at the same time, the sanctions imposed by the United States have made its situation even worse. Before being sanctioned, the United States had always been the largest market for Persian carpets. In Iran, cheap woven carpets are also starting to sell better than handmade carpets. According to government customs data, carpet exports exceeded $2 billion 20 years ago, but by the Persian calendar year ending in March, carpet exports had plummeted to less than $50 million. As tourists decrease and international transactions become more difficult, Iranian carpets are unsold because some weavers earn only $4 a day. For decades, Western tourists and others have been passing through Iran, choosing carpets as gifts to take home. After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the United States increased sanctions against the Iranian theocratic government due to issues such as the siege of the US embassy and the connection between Tehran and radical attacks.

Secondly, Americans were once one of Iran's most popular customers, but the route has been cut off. Carpets are a luxury item that Americans crave to buy. They used to buy them well, but unfortunately, this route has now been cut off. Kashan's carpet weaving has been included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and making a carpet may take several months.

At present, in addition to energy products, handmade carpets are Iran's most important export product, with exports reaching 560 million US dollars last year, accounting for 20% of the global handmade carpet industry. The handmade carpet industry employs approximately 2 million workers, which means that about 10% of the Iranian population benefits economically from carpets and related industries. In addition to direct employees in the carpet industry, the industry has also created job opportunities for handcart repair workers and carpet delivery workers. However, due to the deteriorating situation, the number of employees in the carpet industry has been declining in Tehran and other regions of Iran. Industry insiders say that the clothing market is now eroding the carpet trading market.

In addition, the carpet industry is repeatedly prohibited by US law. In 2000, the outgoing former President Bill Clinton administration lifted the import ban on Iranian caviar, carpets, and pistachios. In 2010, as concerns about Iran's nuclear program intensified, the United States once again banned Persian carpets made by Iran. But in 2015, Iran reached a nuclear agreement with world powers, significantly reducing and lowering the purity of Tehran's enriched uranium reserves. Carpet trade is once again allowed. In 2018, then President Donald Trump unilaterally urged the United States to withdraw from the nuclear agreement. Since then, Iran has started enriching uranium at near weapon level and has been accused of launching a series of attacks at sea and on land, including unprecedented drone and missile attacks against Israel. This means that for carpet weavers, their products are once again prohibited by US law.

In summary, the trade sanctions and financial blockades imposed by the United States have not stumped the rulers of Iran, but have stumped the people. Millions of people in Iran are eating carpet rice, but they are at risk of breaking their jobs due to trade sanctions. It can be said that the biggest victims of political games and confrontations are the common people.