Iraq’s decision to halt the import of Iranian-made cars has resulted in confusion in the car market, which for the past nine years has relied on the affordable, yet subpar, Iranian brands. The state-owned corporation for car imports stated that it had banned the import of Iran-made Saiba and Samand cars at the beginning of the year. The future tendency will be toward Japanese and Korean cars such as Toyota and Hyundai, in a bid to implement higher standards on the roads.

Economic ties between Iraq and Iran are unbreakable. Commercial exchange between the neighboring countries is said to have reached $10 billion during 2012. Both countries are planning to establish a free zone to lessen the pressure of international sanctions imposed on Iran.

“Iraq is setting forth a plan to import cars that suit its fuel resources,” said Adnan al-Sharifi, the CEO of the state-owned car-import corporation. “Iraqi fuel is well refined, something that Iranian companies have not observed,” he added.

Nour Salem, a member of the Economy and Investment Committee in the Iraqi parliament, declared that this committee had suggested a ban on the import of Iranian-made cars, which have resulted in horrible car accidents due to manufacturing flaws.