Iraq opens Sheeb crossing to Iran again, but shuts Mandali for now

Iraq opened the Sheeb crossing on its border with Iran, in Maysan province, again on the morning of 10 November. It had closed the crossing in October.

The government said it had shut Sheeb to review security and install equipment to detect smuggling, and reopened it once that work was done, Arab News and The Hindu reported. The closure came amid US pressure on Baghdad to cut Iran off during the war.

At the same time, Iraq temporarily closed another crossing with Iran, at Mandali, The National reported. The reason for that closure was not given in the reports.

Iraq relies heavily on Iran for trade and for gas and electricity, and crossings like Sheeb carry goods and pilgrims between the two countries.