US Blockade Chokes Iran Trade, Trucks Jam Turkey Border

Hundreds of trucks are idling at the Gurbulak border crossing in eastern Turkey, forming queues up to seven kilometres long as Iran reroutes trade overland. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports has cut off the Gulf route that previously handled over 80% of the country's trade, according to economist Mohammad Farzanegan.

Drivers report waiting times exceeding five days, up from a previous maximum of three. Muhammed Riza Shiri, a driver with 15 years of experience, said he waited four days to deliver a load of rubber into Iran.

“They are trying to create difficulties wherever they can... closing off routes, shutting down air routes, blocking land routes and trying to fuel internal divisions.”

President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US on Tuesday of closing air, land, and sea routes to weaken Iran and fuel internal divisions. He insisted the pressure would not alter Tehran's negotiating stance.

Iran demands the blockade end before allowing commercial shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Land crossings with Turkey and Pakistan are now critical for supplying petrochemical and manufacturing sectors damaged by US and Israeli strikes, though logistics capacity remains severely limited.