The largest category of US exports through August was $89.2m in sales of wheat and other grains. In 2011, the US sold $21m worth of corn to Iran.  Sales of dairy products and other related exports more than doubled to reach $20.3m from $7.8m...

The data is surprising given Western efforts to isolate Iran economically, because of its suspected pursuit of nuclear arms.

These increases, noted Al  Jazeera, mask "a drop in the export of some humanitarian goods such as medicines." Iran is still permitted to import such goods, despite a tightening of sanctions. However, due to the U.S. Treasury blacklisting major Iranian banks, American companies have found complications securing payments for exports to Iran. "Groups ranging from religious-affiliated non-profits to liberal members of Congress to the U.S. Dairy Export Council have argued for ensuring that the banking sanctions do not choke off humanitarian trade," Al Jazeera reported.

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