Iran’s vital seaborne trade is buckling under the weight of Western sanctions, heaping intense pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program, Reuters reported Friday, October 12. Many of Iran’s imports arrive on container, bulker and other ships, but the number of vessels calling at its ports has dived by more than half this year as the United States and European Union tighten the screws. A growing number of Western companies are pulling out of trade with Iran due to the complexities of deals and tougher banking restrictions as the sanctions take hold – and out of fear of losing business elsewhere. Analysts doubt the Iranian economy is near collapse, even though its rial currency has plunged in the last few weeks, but they say some shortages and rising prices of imported goods could provoke public unrest directed at Tehran’s leadership.