Iraqi court seeks arrest of Maysan provincial leader for defying Iran border closure

Iraq's Karkh Court in Baghdad has ordered an investigation into the leader of Maysan province's council after Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi requested a probe into his calls for civil disobedience if the Al Sheeb border crossing with Iran remains closed. The Iraqi government closed the border last week due to security concerns, escalating tensions with Iran and pro-Iranian politicians.

Mustafa Duair Abdulhassan, the head of Maysan's council and affiliated with Iran-aligned Asaib Ahl Al Haq, stated that people would resort to civil disobedience if the crossing does not reopen. The investigation is in response to threats and inappropriate language from Abdulhassan. Other politicians have criticized the border closure, with protesters demonstrating and calling for the government to reopen the crossing, as they rely on the strategic land route for their livelihoods.

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Council of National Security, emphasizing the need for peaceful demonstrations and respect for protesters. Maysan Governor Habib Dhahir Al Fartousi urged Al Zaidi to reopen the crossing, warning that its closure would disrupt trade and increase prices. However, Abdelamir Taiban, a senior adviser to Al Zaidi, accused Iran of undermining Iraq's security and causing chaos at the border, claiming that the flow of drugs and counterfeit currency from Iran has caused more economic damage than ISIS.

Iran's embassy in Iraq dismissed Taiban's claims as false allegations and called for Iraqi authorities to address his remarks to avoid damaging bilateral relations.