Turkish and Iranian flags.

Trade between Turkey and Iran is growing, with Turkey’s customs and trade minister, Hayati Yazıcı, saying Tuesday that trade volume between the two countries could grow by a third to reach $30 billion in 2013, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

The announcement comes as the US threatens further economic sanctions on Iran, while NATO member Turkey has made it clear that it will continue, and even step up, trade with the Iranian regime.

Following a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Turkey Ali Reza Bikdeli, Yazıcı said in a statement released by his office: “We want to carry the trading volume one step further. The two countries have great responsibilities and roles with regard to elevating our bilateral trading volume, which was $22 billion in 2012, to $30 billion in the forthcoming period.” The forecasted increase is greater than 36%.

“We, as the Customs and Trade Ministry, endeavor to achieve this target in consideration of works in revenue administration and reciprocal agreements in the field of customs between the two countries,” he continued.

Yazıcı also announced that Turkish Cargo, an affiliate of national flag carrier Turkish Airlines, planned to launch cargo flights to Tehran.