Middle East: Impact of the Iran War on International Transport Routes

 

Last updated March 2, 2026

The war in the Middle East is affecting key international transport corridors and is having a global impact on air and sea freight as well as land transport.

Sea Freight

The Strait of Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for global energy and cargo flows. The region is currently experiencing significant disruption. Some vessels have been temporarily halted or rerouted, and numerous ships remain positioned in the area.

Several carriers have suspended transit through the region or are operating via alternative routes, particularly around the Cape of Good Hope. In isolated cases, voyages have been terminated early.

At the same time, security-related incidents in the Persian Gulf may contribute to rising crude oil prices. Any sustained increase in oil prices would likely lead to higher fuel costs, potentially impacting overall transportation expenses.

Air Freight

Airspaces in Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain are currently closed. Emirates SkyCargo and Qatar Airways have suspended their flights until further notice. Several airlines have temporarily suspended flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Additional destinations, including Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Dammam, and Tehran, are also affected. As a result, flight diversions, delays, and temporary capacity constraints are occurring.

Land Transport

The closure of the border between Turkey and Iran may affect land transport to Central Asia. Freight flows could increasingly shift to the Middle Corridor (Turkey – Georgia – Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan – China). As a result, capacity constraints and extended transit times are possible along this route.

The duration of the conflict and the potential for further escalation remain uncertain. The overall impact on international supply chains is currently difficult to assess.

Expected Impact on Shipments

• Extended transit times
• Alternative routings and schedule changes
• Delays and capacity constraints
• Congestion and waiting times in the Strait of Hormuz and along alternative routes, including the Cape of Good Hope
• Potential surcharges related to risk, fuel, or network adjustments
• Temporary suspension of selected services
• Adjustments or limitations in insurance coverage under war-risk clauses

Recommendations

• Plan transit times with additional buffer
• Book air and sea freight capacity early
• Evaluate alternative routing options
• Anticipate potential cost adjustments

Gebrüder Weiss is closely monitoring developments in coordination with shipping lines and airlines and is continuously assessing alternative routing options.

For shipment-specific questions or required adjustments, please contact your usual Gebrüder Weiss representative.