Iraq Shuts Two Iran Border Crossings After Attack Launched From Its Soil

Iraq has shut two of its main border crossings with Iran, suspending passenger and commercial movement until further notice, after establishing that an attack on Saudi Arabia was launched from Iraqi territory.

The closures cover Shalamcheh, which lies east of Basra province and ranks among the busiest land routes between the two countries, and Chazabeh. Valiollah Hayati, deputy governor of Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province, said Iraqi authorities had notified Tehran of the decision and advised traders, drivers and travellers to avoid the crossings until they are reopened. Further details would be released by the relevant authorities, he said.

The measure followed an order from Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi on Saturday dismissing the commander of the Maysan Operations Command and setting up an investigative committee. The action came after it was determined that strikes targeting Saudi Arabia had been fired from a site in Maysan province.

Saudi Arabia has said its East-West oil pipeline, running through the Riyadh and Medina regions, was hit by drones launched from Iraq, causing casualties and material damage. The pipeline has become central to Saudi crude exports since the Iran war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the International Energy Agency, Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea port at the pipeline's terminus have more than doubled since the conflict began.

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to place responsibility for the attack on Iran.

The sudden closure left several Iranian visitors stranded at the border. One traveller, who was not named for security reasons, said the group had been waiting for a week and was now unable to return home.

"We came here to the border and want to cross, but we can't," the visitor said. "We have women, men, elderlies, and kids with us. They all want to cross to the other side, but they can't."

At Shalamcheh, police patrols blocked the road leading to the gate, stopping cars and leaving transport trucks and their drivers stuck in place. Bags and belongings sat on the ground as families waited, with no indication of when movement would resume.