Iran turns to Iraq as alternative transit corridor amid Gulf shipping disruptions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iran is exploring Iraq as an alternative transit corridor to safeguard its trade flows after disruptions affected several traditional shipping routes, according to the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce. The chamber said on Thursday that Tehran is seeking alternative routes because of difficulties in using Jebel Ali Port, a major logistics hub in the United Arab Emirates. Iranian officials are evaluating options that pass through several countries, with Iraq among the primary candidates, in an effort to reduce reliance on a single corridor. Bilateral trade has also been affected by a partial decline in Iranian gas supplies to Iraq, contributing to a recent relative drop in overall trade volumes. Chamber representatives said the two sides expect commercial activity to recover gradually once gas deliveries and transit routes stabilize. No further details on the specific Iraqi routes under consideration or on a timeline for their activation were immediately available.