In the port of Basra, Iraq, oil is stuck due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is significantly affecting Iraq's economy—one of the world's largest oil producers. Despite this, the Basra oil field, one of the country's most important, continues to operate at full capacity. Nearby, the port of Umm Qasr is the main entry point to the Strait of Hormuz, the only maritime exit for Iraq's oil. However, since the start of March and the escalation of the war in Iran, activity at the port has slowed considerably. Tankers are now sitting docked, trucks are not moving, and Iraqi oil is not being loaded onto ships. "Before the war, the port was very busy. We arrived, waited for the cargo, and left. Today, everything is empty or almost empty. Things here have changed abruptly," said Hussein Riad, a truck driver. An Iranian cargo ship is not ready to leave, and if it were, it would be at risk of attack by the United States. Iraqi tankers, meanwhile, must wait days before they can even attempt to depart. The reduction in exports, which are crucial for Iraq's economy, combined with limited storage capacity, has left authorities worried about an economic collapse. Stores in the region are nearly empty, and the local economy is suffering. "For the port, the consequences of this war are very important on usual activity. Few ships arrive today. The entire Iraqi maritime traffic is even blocked. We had never experienced anything like this," said Salem Hussein, director of the north section of the Umm Qasr port. The impact on the local economy in Basra is also visible in the stores, which are almost empty. Port workers were the main customers, but with temporary unemployment, they are no longer spending money. "Many foreign workers who were no longer paid have already left. Those who still have a salary can see that prices are rising everywhere," said Zaid Hadi, a merchant. In the meantime, as Iraq waits for better days and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, it is trying to export its crude oil through alternative routes. These include roads through Syria and pipelines through Turkey. This shift highlights the country's efforts to maintain its oil exports despite the ongoing challenges posed by the conflict.