Dear Colleague,
This week we have published an important article by our CEO Esfandyar Batmanghelidj and Policy Fellow Josefine Petrick analyzing how Trump’s new sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation sector threaten to disrupt the country’s medical supply chains.
With more than 60% of Iran’s pharmaceutical imports arriving in the country by air, passenger flights operated by Iranian airlines have become increasingly important for delivering medical products. Esfandyar and Josefine argue that the Trump administrations’ aviation sanctions threaten these air-freight dependent imports and may leave many Iranians without reliable or affordable access to key medicines.
We have also published the second article in our series on Iran’s electricity sector. In his latest entry, energy systems expert Arya Kia looks at the consequences of perennial electricity underpricing in Iran. While cheap energy costs can protect household purchasing power and lower production costs in the short term, a pricing system which discourages efficient consumption has ultimately contributed to the deterioration of electricity reliability in Iran.
Best regards,
Layla Saghafian
Engagement Coordinator
Our Publications
How Underpricing Deepens Iran’s Electricity Crisis
By Arya Kia - 22 September
Trump’s New Aviation Sanctions Threaten Iran’s Medical Supply Chains
By Esfandyar Batmanghelidj and Josefine Petrick - 17 September
Announcements
Inaugural Rihla Summit to Convene in Abu Dhabi
The inaugural Rihla Summit will take place in just one week, on 29 September 2026, at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi. The Summit is part of the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation’s flagship project, the Rihla Initiative for Green Economic Growth.
It will convene Rihla Council Members from six regions across the Global South to identify common priorities, examine investment barriers, and determine how to turn regional dialogue into mutually beneficial partnerships.
Follow the Rihla LinkedIn Page for updates and insights from the Summit.
Media Engagements
Amwaj Media highlighted Esfandyar and Josefine’s analysis on the threat to Iranian medical supply chains in their report on the Trump administration’s push to “shut down” Iranian airlines.
Esfandyar was quoted in a report by Susannah George of The Washington Post on how Iran’s leadership is enduring the impacts of Trump’s economic pressure campaign.
Thank you for engaging with our work. If you would like to share content from the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation with a friend or colleague, please click the button below: