Iran Plans to Shift 40% of Its Trade to Land Corridors Against the U.S. Blockade, with INSTC at the Core

According to Fars News Agency, Itimadi assessed measures Iran could take against the U.S.-imposed maritime embargo. Itimadi noted that the U.S. blockade aims to sever Iran's sea connectivity, adding the country has long fought economic sanctions and gained experience in working around them.

Pointing to land and corridor routes as alternatives to sea transport, Itimadi said: "40% of Iranian trade can be redirected to land and corridor routes. For example, around 15% of the country's total transit volume could be channelled into the North-South Corridor." The calculation lays out the headline strategy for geopolitically bypassing the U.S. blockade.

Iranian Deputy Roads and Urban Development Minister Ali Akbar Safaei stated in 2023 that more than 90% of the country's foreign trade was conducted via sea transport. A 40% shift therefore means halving the dependence on the sea route — a massive realignment in logistics infrastructure, border-gate capacity and insurance structures.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) was established by an agreement signed on September 12, 2000 by Russia, Iran and India. In subsequent years, 10 more countries — including Azerbaijan and Türkiye — joined the project. INSTC targets reduced transit times for cargo moving from India to Russia and onward to Northern and Western Europe; under the Hormuz blockade, the corridor takes on added strategic weight.

Key Takeaways:
1. Iran announced a plan to shift 40% of its trade to land/corridor routes against the U.S. blockade.
2. Itimadi: Up to 15% of total transit volume can be routed through the North-South Corridor (INSTC).
3. Ali Akbar Safaei (2023): Over 90% of Iran's foreign trade moves by sea — a 40% shift would halve sea dependence.
4. INSTC was established by a 2000 Russia-Iran-India agreement; 13 countries including Türkiye now participate.
5. The corridor targets reduced transit times across India-Russia-Northern/Western Europe — strategic weight grows under the Hormuz blockade.

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