Maersk Line, the world’s biggest container shipping company, has stopped port calls to Iran as Western sanctions pressure on the Islamic Republic mounts, Reuters reported Tuesday, October 9. Many of Iran’s imports are transported by sea via container and bulker ships. A growing number of Western firms, especially shipping related companies, are pulling back from trade with Iran due to the complexities of deals, whilst also fearing losing business elsewhere. “This is a pragmatic decision based on an assessment of balancing the benefits of doing limited business in Iran against the risk of damaging business opportunities elsewhere particularly the U.S.,” a spokeswoman for the company said. In recent days Iran’s rial currency has lost about a third of its value against the dollar, emerging as a fault line in Iran’s economy as the country resists foreign pressure over its nuclear program.