About the Image(s)

The Musandam peninsula bulges into the Strait of Hormuz that separates the Sea of Oman from the Persian Gulf. Oman, with a neutral approach towards Iran and because of Musandam's geographic location between Iran and the consumer paradise of the United Arab Emirates, was ideally placed. As a result, in recent years one-third of imported goods in Iran are estimated to have been smuggled across the Strait of Hormuz. One group of entrepreneurs hoping their position will be strengthened by regional turbulence and economic sanctions against Iran are the smugglers of Musandam, which have made the most of their location by supplying imported goods to Iran. The exclave of Musandam is one of eleven governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. Musandam, in turn, has attracted young and brash entrepreneurs from Oman, Iran and across the region, and has become the Centre of a vibrant smuggling economy that supplies cigarettes, cars and a host of other goods to Iran.
While the trade has been somewhat formalized and taxed by Oman, it occurs in a grey zone that requires the payment of bribes on the Iranian side. Light yet powerful speedboats give the smugglers a chance of avoiding Iranian authorities and allow for multiple return trips each day after flashing out of Musandam’s fjords and through the congested strait. The main image is a wide view of the site, and the original shows the kind of merchandise being transported and how it is protected for the journey.