Iraq closes border crossing with Iran until further notice

The Al Sheeb border crossing between Iraq and Iran has been temporarily closed to passengers and goods, according to a government official. The closure, which began at 6am local time on Wednesday, is expected to remain in effect until further notice. Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi issued direct orders for the decision, which was made to "reconsider the security arrangements inside the crossing," the official explained.

The border official cited the review of security and the installation of detection equipment to prevent the smuggling of prohibited materials as the reasons behind the closure. The Al Sheeb crossing, located in Iraq's southeastern Maysan province, is one of the primary commercial gateways between the two nations, facilitating the transport of food, construction materials, and serving as a route for Iranian pilgrims traveling to holy sites in Najaf and Karbala.

The closure of this crossing, along with other border crossings such as Shalamcheh, Zurbatiyah, and Mandali, could significantly disrupt the Iraq-Iran trade, which reached over $10 billion last year. If these closures occur, it would lead to a rise in prices for essential goods, particularly fresh produce and Iranian building materials that are in high demand in southern markets.

The decision to close the Al Sheeb crossing is likely to draw criticism from pro-Iran political factions, who claim the government is tilting too much towards Washington amid the ongoing US sanctions on Tehran. Within the Co-ordination Framework, the largest Shiite parliamentary bloc representing Iran-backed factions, the closure is seen as a way to enforce US sanctions and harm border provinces economically dependent on Iranian trade, while supporters argue that Iraq needs to enhance border control and diversify its imports.

The Prime Minister's office has yet to release a formal statement detailing the scope and duration of the closures, and there has been no official Iranian response to the closure.