ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A dramatic decrease in imports from Iran has left a financial burden on truck drivers working at Erbil province’s only border crossing with the country. Tehran’s war with Washington and Tel Aviv has played a key role in the downturn.
The Haji Omran border crossing was bustling before the war involving the US, Israel, and Iran erupted in late February. Drivers say the border crossing has seen a rare decline in traffic since the war started.
“We used to transport three to four loads a week, but now there is no cargo. All types of goods have declined, including fruits, vegetables, and dry goods,” driver Rashid Surchi told Rudaw on Sunday.
The Kurdistan Region largely relies on Iran and Turkey for imports, making cross-border trade a key part of its economy, particularly for fuel, food products, and construction materials.
“The financial damage to drivers is that some drivers have leased their trucking line for $1,300. If they only manage to get one or two loads per month, it barely covers the vehicle's operating expenses,” said Halwest Salah, another truck driver working at the crossing.
Many truck drivers now barely have the chance to transport more than a couple of loads a week. Before the war, around 220 trucks imported goods from Iran each day, but the figure has dropped to 100–110. The imposition of some tariffs and fees has also contributed to the crisis, Rudaw has learned.
The Erbil Chamber of Commerce says it is working to address the issues not related to the war.
“We have followed up on several issues, and we can say that 30 percent of the downturn is related to the US-Iran war. As the [Erbil] Chamber of Commerce, we are actively working to address the issue of fees and others,” Rashid Mustafa, a member of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce, told Rudaw on Sunday.
Andam Jabar contributed to this article.
