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US asks Iraq to shut most Iran border crossings, Iraqi foreign minister says

By Thomson Reuters Nov 8, 2026 | 1:01 PM

Nov 8 (Reuters) – The US Treasury has asked Iraq to close ​all border crossings with ‌Iran except for two as part of Washington’s policy of increasing economic pressure ‌on ​Tehran, Iraqi ⁠Foreign Minister Fuad ⁠Hussein said in an interview with Al Jazeera.

One of the exceptions is ​in the Kurdistan region.

“There are many official ⁠and unofficial ⁠border crossings with ​Iran, and closing all of ​them would be difficult ‌and would affect our economy. The Americans are still demanding the ⁠closure of the crossings, and we are currently in discussions ⁠with ‌them,” Hussein said.

Last ⁠month, Iraq closed the ​busy ‌Sheeb border crossing ​with Iran ⁠to review security and install detection equipment to stop smuggling.

(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Andrew ​Cawthorne)