Iraqi officials closed the 'Shayb' border with Iran on Wednesday until an unspecified date. This action comes as reports indicate U.S. pressure on Baghdad to further block borders in order to increase economic pressure on Tehran.
Details of the Shayb Border Closure
A source in the Iraqi border administration announced that the 'Shayb' border has been closed since this morning, without providing a reason for this action. The website 'Mizan Online', affiliated with the Iranian judiciary, confirmed this news and stated that the closure follows a decision by the Iraqi Prime Minister's office.
Iraq and Iran have close political, religious, and economic ties, and their shared border is over 1,400 kilometers long, including eight official crossings. Since the beginning of the war in the Middle East in February, Washington has sought to increase economic pressure on Iran and has imposed sanctions on entities linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
U.S. Pressure on Baghdad
Two political sources told news agencies that the United States is pressuring the Iraqi government to close all its borders with Iran. One of these sources noted that the U.S. Treasury Department raised this issue during Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaydi's meeting in New York last month for the United Nations General Assembly. According to this source, "All borders except one crossing in federal territory and one crossing in the Kurdistan region will be closed."
The second source also added that "the United States has asked all countries bordering Iran to take similar actions." This pressure is particularly significant given the current heightened tensions in the region.
Consequences of Border Closures
Iranian officials have pointed to disruptions at the border with Pakistan, and Ali Zainivand, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Interior, stated that "yes, there have been disruptions in border exchanges with some neighboring countries at the border with Pakistan." He added that some of these disruptions occur naturally and even during periods without war or sanctions.
The closure of Iraq's borders with Iran could have widespread economic and social consequences, especially regarding trade and human exchanges. Given the close economic ties between the two countries, this action may lead to reduced access for Iranians to Iraqi goods and vice versa, ultimately impacting bilateral relations.
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