The recently-reinstated American sanctions on Iran have left neighbouring Iraq between a rock and a hard place.

Iraq does a huge amount of business with Iran, but if it continues to do so, it could be in breach of the sanctions.

This would anger the United States, a key ally of the Iraqi government.

Traders in the Kurdish region of Sulaymaniyah, in northern Iraq, have expressed concern, pointing out they rely on Iran for fruit and vegetables during the winter months.

Recent reports suggest that Iraq might try to gain exception from some of the sanctions so that it can continue to trade across the border.

Iran is Iraq's third biggest trading partner after Turkey and China.

Iraq imports food products, construction materials, and chemical and energy products from its neighbour.