World · Middle East · 3 hrs ago
Iraq closes Al Sheeb crossing with Iran for security review
Iraq has closed the Al Sheeb crossing with Iran to passengers and goods, effective Wednesday, and says it will remain shut until further notice.
The crossing is in Maysan province in south-eastern Iraq and is a major route for trade and Iranian pilgrims travelling to Najaf and Karbala.
Officials say the closure is for a security review and the installation of equipment to detect prohibited materials and prevent smuggling.
Another account says most border checkpoints have been closed and links the move to alleged Iranian involvement in attacks on Saudi Arabia launched from Iraqi territory; Iraqi and Iranian authorities have not commented on that account.
More crossings could close gradually, though the sources differ on how many are already shut and what prompted the measures.
A wider closure could disrupt trade worth more than $10 billion a year and may raise prices for fresh food and Iranian building materials in southern Iraq.
Iraq’s prime minister’s office has not formally explained the closures’ scope or duration, so it is not clear when the crossing will reopen.
Iraq closed the Al Sheeb crossing with Iran to passengers and goods on October 21, with the closure in place until further notice.
The National reported that the move followed orders from Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi and was intended to review security arrangements.
A border official told Reuters that authorities were reviewing security and installing detection equipment to prevent smuggling.
TASS, citing Shafaq News, reported that most checkpoints along the Iran border had been closed, while The National focused on Al Sheeb.
The reports give different explanations for the move, including security controls and alleged Iranian involvement in attacks on Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Iraq’s government, on orders from Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi, closed the crossing.
- What
- Al Sheeb was closed to passengers and goods. TASS separately reported that most border checkpoints with Iran were closed.
- When
- The closure took effect at 6am local time on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Al Sheeb crossing, in Maysan province in south-eastern Iraq, on the border with Iran.
- Why
- The National said authorities were reviewing security arrangements and installing detection equipment to stop smuggling. TASS cited a report linking the move to alleged Iranian involvement in attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Critics in the Co-ordination Framework
Supporters of tighter border controls
Impact on trade
Critics in the Co-ordination Framework
Critics argue that closing commercial crossings effectively enforces US sanctions and harms border provinces dependent on Iranian trade.
Supporters of tighter border controls
Supporters say Baghdad needs to tighten border control and diversify imports.
The East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia was struck, according to TASS.
Iraq’s prime minister dismissed the commander of the operational command in Maysan province after information was confirmed that the drones had been launched from its territory, TASS reported.
The Al Sheeb crossing closure took effect, according to The National.
- Crossing
- Al Sheeb
- Province
- Maysan
- Closure took effect
- 6am local time, October 21, 2026
- Closure status
- Until further notice
- Trade value
- Iraq-Iran trade exceeded $10 billion last year
3 sources
What people are saying
reconsider the security arrangements inside the crossing