Overland lifelines under pressure: Iran’s trade with its neighbours

Iran is turning to its land borders for ways to keep trade moving as the U.S. naval blockade constrains shipping. But these routes are best seen as a buffer, not a substitute for maritime trade. They can help move selected goods, give merchants more options, and support businesses in border regions. They cannot make up for lost oil revenue, and they depend on infrastructure and political cooperation that Iran cannot control alone. The recent suspension of trade at two crossings with Pakistan is a reminder that land routes, too, can be disrupted with little warning. The blockade and the shift to land The loss of crude exports is at the heart of the problem. Citing Vortexa, Reuters reported that Iran’s […]