Dhaka, March 25 -- The US and Israeli strikes on Iran last month plunged the Middle East into crisis, disrupted global shipping routes and spawned a series of headaches for Umar Ali Hyder Ali's used-car business in Japan.

Hyder Ali, who has lived in Japan for two decades, ships used cars from his adopted home to South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, where the vehicles are highly sought for their durability and relatively good condition, thanks to strict Japanese regulations that require regular inspections and maintenance.

Days after the war broke out, he woke up to news that one of his shipments of more than 500 cars was stuck at sea -- the vessel was unable to get into Sri Lanka because the port had filled up with cargo diverted fro...