The Iranian government ordered the activation of trade with neighboring countries to neutralize a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran's state-run IRIB on the 14th (local time), Iskandar Momeni, Iran's interior minister, on this day instructed governors of border regions to drastically boost cross-border trade to offset the economic shock from a potential U.S. maritime blockade threat.
According to a document posted on the Iranian government portal, Minister Momeni said, "To neutralize the impact of the maritime blockade threat on people's lives, governors of border regions must further strengthen and develop cross-border trade, including the import of basic necessities and the export of products."
Iran shares borders with seven countries: Iraq, Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also conducts trade with Russia and Kazakhstan via the Caspian Sea in the north.
Minister Momeni added, "All available national and regional resources must be mobilized," and said, "Take steps to ensure smooth logistics flows through close cooperation with public organizations such as cooperatives of residents in border areas."