Iraq says al-Sheib border crossing closed over technical deficiencies

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s government said Wednesday that the al-Sheib border crossing with Iran in Maysan governorate had been closed because its ‘technical and logistical’ facilities were not ready for continued operations, offering the first official explanation for the shutdown.

Government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi told the Iraqi News Agency that the suspension was intended to improve the crossing’s infrastructure and operational capabilities.

“The suspension of operations at the al-Sheib crossing is a step toward improving its technical and logistical readiness,” Aboudi said, attributing the closure to deficiencies in its technical facilities and development requirements.

He added that several other crossings between Iraq and Iran remained operational, with commercial traffic continuing smoothly.

The explanation follows Tuesday’s reports that al-Sheib would close at 6 a.m. Wednesday to both goods and travelers until further notice. An official source had said the decision came under directives from Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and that other crossings with Iran would be closed gradually. Aboudi did not clarify whether that broader plan remained in effect.

Iran’s Interior Ministry said Wednesday that Tehran had received no advance notification of the closure. Ministry spokesperson Zeyni Vand said a bilateral agreement required either country to notify the other before closing a crossing for more than one day, while brief security-related suspensions did not require advance notice.

Iranian authorities also announced the closure of the corresponding Chazabeh crossing and advised travelers and traders to use Shalamcheh instead. However, an Iranian international transport industry representative later said crossings with Iraq remained open to passenger traffic, with only minor congestion and truck delays.

The closure comes as Baghdad works to clear stranded vegetable shipments from Iran. Border Ports Authority chief Lt. Gen. Omar al-Waeli said earlier Wednesday that the government had authorized the entry of perishable goods following appeals from Iraqi traders concerned about spoilage and rising domestic prices.

Aboudi did not specify when al-Sheib would reopen or provide a timetable for completing the technical improvements.