Hundreds of trucks are currently stuck at the Turkey-Iran border crossing of Gürbulak, creating long delays and economic strain. This congestion has been caused by a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, which has forced Iran to shift much of its trade from sea routes to overland paths. Iran previously relied on the Persian Gulf for over 80% of its trade, and the shift has disrupted its economy, particularly affecting the import of goods and the export of oil and gas. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged the acceleration of overland trade to mitigate the effects of the blockade, which he says is harming Iran’s ability to conduct commercial activities through the Strait of Hormuz. At Gürbulak, waiting times for trucks have increased dramatically, with delays quadrupling since the conflict began, according to the International Transporters Association. Iranian truck drivers have reported severe bottlenecks, with some waiting up to five days to cross the border. Muhammed Rıza Shiri, an Iranian truck driver, described the situation as unprecedented, with lines stretching for miles. He noted that the maximum wait time had increased from three days to five, significantly impacting his ability to conduct business. Iran has accused the United States of trying to weaken the country by closing trade routes and exacerbating internal tensions. President Pezeshkian has maintained that Iran will not compromise its position in negotiations with the U.S. and insists that the blockade must be lifted before commercial shipping can resume through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian economist Mohammad Farzanegan has warned that shifting trade from sea to land is difficult due to logistical challenges, border regulations, and corruption, and that overland trade cannot fully replace the disrupted maritime routes. The surge in truck traffic has placed significant pressure on border crossings. According to Iranian official Amir Roshanbakhsh Ghanbari, the number of trucks at the border has increased from 200 to 1,200, straining infrastructure. He attributed the situation to a lack of development by destination countries, which are uncertain about how long the current crisis will last. Some drivers are protesting the delays, citing higher costs, maintenance expenses, and reduced cargo loads. A Telegram channel linked to Iranian truckers has been flooded with complaints about the difficult conditions, with drivers reporting that longer waits have cut their monthly trips in half and increased their expenses. Efforts are underway to ease the situation. Turkish customs have reportedly reduced waiting times for Iranian trucks from 30 to 22 days by increasing the number of lanes and doubling X-ray scanning machines. Iran has also announced plans with Pakistan to boost trade by keeping crossings open 24 hours a day and opening a new crossing at Kuhak. However, with infrastructure and logistics still under strain, the long-term viability of overland trade remains uncertain.