Iran denies border closure reports, says trade with Pakistan continues

Iran has dismissed claims that it has shut its borders to Pakistan, stating there are no limitations on the export of Iranian goods, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam, speaking via X, affirmed that Iran's borders with all neighboring nations, including Pakistan, remain open. He emphasized that blocking borders, especially with a key trading partner like Pakistan, would not be logical or beneficial for either nation under the current situation.

Moghadam explained that recent changes to Pakistan's E-Form import procedure for goods from Iran have led to disruptions in cargo shipments. This procedural shift has made it impractical for traders to send goods from Iran to Pakistan. He indicated that ongoing dialogues with Pakistan aim to resolve this issue.

The clarification follows reports of difficulties in cross-border trade, particularly concerning LPG shipments. According to Moghadam, hundreds of trucks loaded with LPG crossed the Rimdan border into Gabd within Pakistan, but these vehicles remained there for weeks, unable to unload or clear customs. This impasse has further strained trade flows and bilateral economic relations.

Moghadam stressed that cross-border trade is a vital component of the agreements reached at the highest levels of diplomacy and serves the mutual interests of both countries and their populations. He affirmed Iran's efforts to facilitate and promote trade with Pakistan and expressed a commitment to collaborating closely with Pakistani partners to overcome the existing challenges. Both sides pledged to persist in efforts to ease the movement of goods and bolster economic cooperation between Iran and Pakistan.