Iran’s efforts to circumvent a U.S.-led maritime blockade by shifting trade to overland routes have encountered significant difficulties, with hundreds of Iranian truck drivers stranded at various border crossings unable to move goods into neighboring countries. The bottlenecks, particularly at Iran’s borders with Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, underscore logistical and bureaucratic challenges that appear partly self-inflicted, further constricting Tehran’s already limited trade avenues.

Drivers at the Pakistan border reported escalating administrative hurdles and costs imposed by both Iranian and Pakistani authorities, complicating cargo transfers. According to the Union of Truckers and Drivers Organisations Across Iran, Iranian and Pakistani officials have yet to resolve responsibilities for these delays, with some goods, such as tonnes of apricots, spoiling due to extended wait times. Precious shipments including iron ore, cement, and bottled gas remain stranded as well.

The situation reflects the broader impact of intensified economic warfare in the Gulf region, where control over export routes is critical. While some Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, have managed to reroute oil exports westward across the Arabian Peninsula, Iran’s attempts to mitigate the disruption caused by U.S. sanctions and naval actions have largely faltered. The U.S. blockade aims to isolate Iran’s economy by targeting seaborne exports and imports, severely limiting access through key maritime chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.

Although humanitarian and food shipments are officially exempt from sanctions, shipping companies are reluctant to handle Iranian cargo, leading to congestion in ports across the region. Visual evidence posted online shows inactivity at Shahid Rajaee, Iran’s largest commercial port, while thousands of containers are reportedly stuck at ports in Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

In response, Iranian officials have sought to enhance trade via alternative routes. Transit through the Caspian Sea has increased by approximately 70 percent over the past five months, facilitating imports such as wheat, corn, and cooking oil from Russia. Rail freight between Tehran and Xi’an, China, has also accelerated, increasing frequency from weekly to every three or four days. However, these routes remain vulnerable. Iraq temporarily closed its cargo terminals at the Iran border following accusations that Iranian forces used Iraqi territory for attacks on Saudi Arabia, forcing Iranian trucks carrying onions bound for Iraq to return.

Border issues were already problematic prior to these recent closures. Drivers have reported long delays at crossings with Afghanistan and Pakistan, with some facing demands for unusually high fees to cross into Pakistan — reportedly exceeding $10,000 per trip. At the Turkmenistan border, logistical constraints such as warehouse shortages and inefficient registration processes have hindered the movement of goods by rail to China, complicating the import of industrial products.

These disruptions are exerting inflationary pressures within Iran, with transport costs contributing up to a third of retail prices for common goods in Tehran, according to import-sector experts. The combined effect of sanctions, border delays, and increased overland freight expenses is intensifying economic strains across the country, casting doubt on Iran’s ability to sustain crucial trade flows amid growing regional tensions.