10/11/2026
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10/11/2026
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BAGHDAD, Nov 10: Iraq reopened the Shib border crossing with Iran to passenger and commercial traffic on Tuesday after a three-week closure, while announcing the temporary closure of another crossing, Mandali, from Friday for maintenance work ahead of the rainy season.
Omar al-Waeli, head of Iraq’s Border Ports Authority, said the Shib crossing resumed operations at 8 am local time (0500 GMT) after the completion of technical requirements and administrative procedures necessary to reopen the facility.
In a statement carried by the official Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Waeli said the Mandali crossing would close from 8 am on Friday to allow preparation and maintenance work to be completed before the rainy season.
He explained that seasonal weather conditions could affect vehicle movement within the crossing, making the maintenance work necessary.
The authority did not specify how long Mandali would remain closed, saying the reopening date would be announced after the work was completed.
Shib and Mandali crossings
The Shib crossing is located in Iraq’s southeastern Maysan province and connects with Iran’s Chazabeh crossing in Khuzestan province. Mandali is situated in Iraq’s eastern Diyala province.
Shib was closed on October 21, with Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Abboudi attributing the decision to a lack of technical readiness. He said commercial trade with Iran had continued through other border crossings.
The crossing had also been closed in September as part of measures announced by Iraq’s Security Media Cell to reorganize border operations and investigate reported violations at crossing points.
During that period, the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriyah crossings remained open to travellers. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi subsequently ordered that passengers stranded by the closures be allowed to cross through Shib and Shalamcheh.
Iraq balances relations with Iran and US pressure
The reopening comes amid continuing diplomatic and economic discussions between Baghdad, Tehran and Washington over Iraq’s border arrangements and trade with Iran.
Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Yasser Abdul Zahra al-Hajjaj said Monday that Prime Minister al-Zaidi had recently visited Iran to discuss ways of reducing regional tensions. He described the trip as a private and unannounced visit.
However, the Border Ports Authority attributed Shib’s reopening to the completion of technical procedures and did not link the decision to the prime minister’s visit.
Separately, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera on Sunday that the US Treasury Department had asked Baghdad to close all border crossings with Iran except two.
Hussein said the Iraqi government was continuing discussions with Washington over the request, warning that implementing such a measure would have significant consequences for Iraq’s economy.
Iraq maintains extensive commercial and economic ties with neighbouring Iran, making border trade an important issue for Baghdad as it seeks to balance its relations with Tehran and Washington.
