Iraq Reopens Border Crossing With Iran

Iraqi authorities reopened on Tuesday a border crossing with Iran after closing it last month amid mounting US pressure to isolate Tehran.

The Iraqi government closed the Al-Sheeb crossing in Missan province in October. Two political sources told AFP that the US was pressuring Baghdad to close most crossings with neighbouring Iran.

The head of Iraq’s border crossings authority, Alaa al-Waeli, told the state news agency (INA) that the Al-Sheeb crossing would reopen Tuesday morning after the completion of the “necessary procedures” required to resume operations and “ensure the smooth movement of travellers and goods”.

He added that authorities would temporarily close the Al-Mandali border crossing in Diyala province starting on Friday for “maintenance”.

The closure of the Al-Sheeb crossing sparked tensions between the central government and local authorities in Missan, with several protests erupting over the shutdown of a key route.

In September, Baghdad temporarily closed several crossings with Iran after authorities determined that an unclaimed drone attack on a Saudi pipeline originated from an area near Al-Sheeb.

Pro-Iran armed groups have supported Tehran during the Middle East war, claiming hundreds of attacks on US bases in Iraq and across the region.

AFP