Some 3,000 containers wallowing in Karachi, Pakistan, have become the latest symbol of Iran’s economic squeeze, Al Jazeera reports. The cargo, which under normal circumstances would be picked up by Iranian ships and brought to its ports, is stranded as the US naval blockade and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz snarl shipping lanes and give Washington leverage over what Iran can import as well as export. Iran may be turning to land: Documents seen by Al Jazeera show Iranian and Pakistani business leaders weighing an overland route that would send those stuck containers by truck across the countries’ border.
Pakistani officials confirmed such talks were underway, though the Iranian government did not comment. The plan would have Pakistani trucks get the cargo to the border, with Tehran reportedly willing to pay extra for Pakistani drivers willing to go beyond it and into Iran. The workaround would be slower and costlier than shipping, and it’s not the only one reportedly being considered in the region.
The AP reports that on Monday, a long-shuttered border crossing between Iraq and Syria reopened, with Syria highlighting it as a safe alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The crossing was closed at the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011. An Iraqi official hailed the opening as one that would facilitate “trade exchange and oil transportation toward this great gate.” As for Iran, the Straits Times points out that it has land routes at its borders with six other countries: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan.