Key facts
- Iraq closed the Sheeb border crossing with Iran on Wednesday.
- The closure is to review security and install detection equipment.
- The crossing will be closed to passengers, vehicles, and commercial trucks until further notice.
- Consultations are ongoing between Iran's Interior Ministry and Iraqi provincial authorities to resume operations.
Iraq has closed the busy Sheeb border crossing with Iran to review security and install detection equipment to stop the smuggling of prohibited materials, an Iraqi border official said on Wednesday. The crossing will be closed to passengers, vehicles, and commercial trucks until further notice. A security official from Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province also confirmed the closure, stating that the decision was taken by the Iraqi government. Consultations are ongoing between Iran's Interior Ministry and Iraqi provincial authorities to resume operations. The Iranian official advised passengers and trucks to use the Shalamcheh crossing, which Iraq had previously closed temporarily in September after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.