# iPhone 18 reaches Tehran despite US sanctions and blockade

> New Apple phones arrive in Iran within days of US release, but government fees and sanctions push prices far above global levels.
- Title: iPhone 18 reaches Tehran despite US sanctions and blockade
- Summary: New Apple phones arrive in Iran within days of US release, but government fees and sanctions push prices far above global levels. Apple's iPhone 18 reached…
- Keywords: apple, iphone 18, iran, us sanctions, electronics imports, tehran, news, world, politics, iPhone, reaches, despite
- Source: Al Jazeera — https://aljazeera.com/features/2026/10/23/new-electronics-reach-iran-but-prices-soar-as-govt-fees-us-sanctions-hit?traffic_source=rss
- Author: Maziar Motamedi
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apple, iphone 18, iran, us sanctions, electronics imports, tehran, news, world, politics
## iPhone 18 reaches Tehran in days
When Apple released the iPhone eighteen lineup in the United States on September eighteen, new models went on sale in downtown Tehran within a couple of days.
## Sanctions and blockade make imports harder
Apple has no physical presence in Iran due to years of international sanctions. A months-long US naval blockade of Iran's southern ports has cut off the bulk of the country's imports.
## Iranians pay premium for new phones
Iranians can still buy the latest mobile phones at places like Tehran's Charsou Mall, but have to pay a premium due to government fees and US sanctions hitting prices.
## Key takeaway

Apple's iPhone 18 reached Tehran within days of its September eighteenth US release despite international sanctions and a US naval blockade of Iran's southern ports.