The head of the Diyala Chamber of Commerce affirmed that maritime and land transport form the backbone of Iraqi trade, while the impact of air shipping remains limited. He explained that over 50% of goods imported into Iraq pass through the ports of Basra, while land transport from neighboring countries accounts for more than 45% of import activity, especially construction materials and heavy machinery. He noted that recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to rising shipping and insurance costs, increasing financial burdens on traders and negatively affecting commodity prices in local markets. He added that some traders have resorted to alternative routes through neighboring countries, but these options raise final costs for consumers. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime passage through which a large percentage of oil exports and goods pass to the Gulf countries and Iraq, and regional tensions raise broad economic concerns over their impact on markets.