Centuries-Old Frankincense Trade Disrupted by Iran Conflict
Explore how the ongoing tensions between Iran and its neighbors have impacted the ancient trade of frankincense, a prized resin used for centuries across the Middle East.
The impact of the conflict in Iran extends far beyond just disrupting energy supplies. It has also snarled up the trade of an ancient commodity that has defined trade routes in the Middle East for thousands of years: frankincense.
Frankincense is a prized aromatic resin harvested from Boswellia trees that grow across the Arabian Peninsula. For centuries, this fragrant substance has been an integral part of the region's economy, traded along historic routes and used in religious ceremonies, as incense, and for medicinal purposes.
However, the ongoing tensions and conflicts in the Middle East have now complicated the frankincense trade, threatening the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
Source: NPR
