Blockade Costs Outweigh War: Iran’s Trade Chamber Warns of Economic Collapse

Iran-China Joint Chamber chief Majidreza Hariri told Khabar Online that the U.S. naval blockade hurts Iran more than the 40‑day war earlier this year. He said the current shortages are worse than during that conflict.

Hariri warned Iran must end the blockade by any means – talks, threats, or even renewed fighting. He said believing the blockade can be bypassed will only make governing harder and create dangerous spillovers.

He recalled decades of Western sanctions that left Iran’s economy weak and corruption high. The blockade now makes shipping a container to China cost about $3,000, while overland it jumps to $12,000. With two million containers a year, that adds roughly $18 billion in extra costs annually.

Hariri predicts land routes can keep basics flowing for a short time, but the economy will eventually grind to a halt. He urged the U.S. to realize that using blockades whenever it wants could trigger severe backlash, even as officials fear the pressure might spark more unrest.