TEHRAN, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Iran exported 7.86 million tons of iron ore during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year starting form March 21 to Aug. 22, Financial Tribune daily reported on Saturday.

The figure registered an increase of 43 percent compared with the same period of last year.

The iron ore pellets had the lion's share in Iran's iron ore exports, making up 42 percent of total exports, followed by iron ore fines or lumps with 30 percent and iron ore concentrates with 28 percent.

Exports of iron ore in July 22- Aug. 22 hit 1.79 million tons, witnessing a staggering rise of 96 percent compared with the same period of last year.