Bandar Abbas under the shadow of war and US economic blockade

The port city of Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz, once a bustling hub of maritime and commercial activity, is now grappling with stagnation and insecurity following six months of war. According to an Associated Press report, recent US airstrikes on coastal areas and the ongoing naval blockade have imposed unprecedented economic pressure on the city's 700,000 residents. Dock workers report that with a sharp decline in cargo unloading, many jobs related to port services have disappeared. Mohammad Torabian, a dock worker, stated that before the war, up to 50 trucks carrying food would unload at the port daily, but now much of the dock remains empty. Meanwhile, Mahsa Shojaei, an accountant at a customs-clearing company, reported an 80% to 90% drop in her company's workload. In the city's markets, merchants complain about the severe decline in purchasing power and falling sales. Mehrdad Jahangiri, a clothing retailer, said his sales have halved compared to last year, and many families are foregoing basic necessities due to empty pockets. Fishermen and boat operators also speak of the insecurity at sea. Abbas Golzanaei, a local boatman, stated that due to the risks, his operational range has shrunk from 30 miles to less than 8 miles, and obtaining fuel has become difficult. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf had previously warned that any escalation of the blockade would be met with a military response.