According to Economic Ideal News Agency, Iran’s steel industry has successfully improved its global ranking by turning geopolitical challenges into technological opportunities, earning recognition as one of the world’s most resilient steel industries.
According to the latest report from the World Steel Association (worldsteel) in 2026, Iran’s steel industry in 2025, despite a global 2% production decline, achieved 1.9% growth with 32 million tons of crude steel, solidifying its position among the world’s top 10 producers. Mobarakeh Steel Company in Isfahan, with production of 10.29 million tons, improved its global ranking from 44th to 43rd, becoming a symbol of industrial resilience in the region.
Global Leadership in DRI Production; A Strategic Advantage on the Green Steel Path
One of Iran’s most outstanding achievements, with Mobarakeh Steel as its driving force, is securing the world’s top rank in Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) production. In 2025, Iran produced 37.2 million tons of DRI, accounting for nearly one-quarter of global production of this strategic product. This success represents not just a quantitative advantage, but a major step toward green steel.
While 69.4% of global steel is still produced through traditional and polluting blast furnaces, 91.9% of Iran’s steel production comes from electric arc furnaces (EAF) , with significantly lower carbon emissions (1.66 tons CO₂) compared to blast furnaces (2.66 tons CO₂). This advantage positions Mobarakeh Steel to face future stringent environmental regulations such as the EU’s CBAM mechanism.
Resilience Amid Geopolitical Crises
Mobarakeh Steel’s rise in global rankings was achieved despite energy constraints, technology sanctions, and direct physical threats. By relying on indigenous expertise and a strategy of “production continuity under risk conditions,” this vast industrial complex has proven that even amid military and geopolitical tensions, Iran’s industrial capacities do not halt but continue to grow.
Strong International Market Presence
In 2025, Iran maintained its position as the world’s 10th largest steel exporter with 13.5 million tons of exports. Notably, Iran ranked 4th globally in net exports (export surplus relative to imports) with 12.0 million tons, after China, Japan, and South Korea.
These figures demonstrate that Mobarakeh Steel and Iran’s steel industry, beyond meeting domestic demand (with per capita consumption of 219 kg, above the global average of 209 kg), have become influential players in export markets.
Future Outlook: Beyond 43rd Place
While achieving 43rd place is a major accomplishment, Mobarakeh Steel’s latent potential points to an even brighter path. With the global transition toward hydrogen-based and low-carbon steel, the company’s direct reduction infrastructure could serve as a launchpad for regional leadership in the green steel market.
Today, Mobarakeh Steel sends a clear message to global markets: it is no longer merely a national and regional producer, but a resilient power in the steel industry that has successfully turned geopolitical crises into opportunities to consolidate technological advantage and enhance its global standing.
Sources: World Steel Association (worldsteel) 2025 and 2026 statistical reports, and exclusive analyses by the Steel Future Think Tank.
