ALWAGHT- Iran produced 7.26 million tonnes of steel in the first quarter of 2026, solidifying its position as the world's tenth-largest steel producer.
Dispute Over Global Ranking
The World Steel Association (Worldsteel) recently claimed that Vietnam had overtaken Iran to claim tenth place in global steel production, with 6.4 million tonnes produced in Q1 2026. However, Mehdi Mohammadi, head of the Alloy Steel Producers Association, strongly disputes this, stating that Iran actually produced 7.26 million tonnes during the same period. According to Iranian officials, the country remains the world's tenth-largest producer, trailing only Brazil's 8.1 million tonnes.
Impact and Recovery from US-Israeli Attacks
On April 7, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a direct attack on Iran's steel industry, targeting Mobarakeh Steel and Khuzestan Steel. While the assault caused considerable disruption to key facilities like blast furnaces, officials insist that claims of a complete production halt are incorrect. Despite damage, Mobarakeh continues slab production and rolling operations, and expert estimates suggest reconstruction in the worst-hit areas will take nine months at most. The government has issued import permits for hot-rolled coil to address potential shortages, and officials have reassured automakers that steel sheet supplies for vehicles are not a concern.
Resilience Forged Through Sanctions and History
Iran's ability to withstand this attack builds on a long history of turning external pressure into industrial strength. When US sanctions were imposed in 2018, Iran launched a massive project to localize 26,000 steel industry parts, reducing foreign currency consumption from 140-145 million to just 45–50 million. Total steel production has grown from one million tonnes before the 1979 revolution to a current capacity of 33 million tonnes annually. While the attack was meant to break Iran's momentum, officials remain confident that with reduced tensions and proven domestic technical capabilities, damaged plants will quickly return to production.
