Iraq closes Shib border crossing with Iran until further notice
Iraq has shut the Shib border crossing with Iran to travelers and commercial vehicles, citing security reviews, with further closures possible.
Key Takeaways
AITwo sources at Iraq’s Shib border crossing with Iran said on Wednesday that Iraq has closed the crossing to travelers, vehicles, and commercial trucks until further notice.
Another source, quoted by Reuters, said the decision was made to review security arrangements at the crossing.
According to local media, several border crossings with Iran will be gradually closed in the coming days. It remains unclear how many of the six crossings between Iraq and Iran will be affected, and the Iraqi government has not issued an official statement on the matter.
Iran’s Mehr news agency, citing informed sources, reported that Baghdad’s decision came at the request of the United States as part of economic isolation measures against Iran. The report added that only two border crossings between Iraq and Iran would remain open.
Baghdad previously closed the Shib crossing last month for a security investigation after drones launched from Al-Tayeb Island in Maysan province—on the Iraq-Iran border—targeted Saudi Arabia.