‘Business Is Finished’: Iranian Merchants Fear the Worst as Virus Spreads

‘Business Is Finished’: Iranian Merchants Fear the Worst as Virus Spreads
Workers load goods onto a dhow bound for Iran along the creek in old Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on March 2, 2020. Christopher Pike/Reuters
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Iranian merchants plying the busy Strait of Hormuz between Dubai and Iran fear their next trip home will be a one-way trip after the United Arab Emirates banned ferry services to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

“Business is finished,” said Iranian trader Morad as he stacked goods on a small wooden dhow this week destined for the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas some 230 km (140 miles) away.