By order of al-Zaydi… A source reveals the reasons for closing land crossings bordering Iran and their temporary reopening for the return of Iraqis
By order of al-Zaydi… A source reveals the reasons for closing land crossings bordering Iran and their temporary reopening for the return of Iraqis
2026-09-12
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source stated on Saturday that Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi has ordered the closure of the land border crossings adjacent to Iran as an economic punishment for the regime in Tehran after it was proven that it was involved in carrying out drone attacks targeting the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, launched from Iraqi territory.
The source, in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, attributed the closure of these crossings to the smuggling of materials, weapons, and drone-making equipment from Iran into Iraq, which were used to target Saudi factions.
He pointed out that the closure of the border crossings, specifically Shalamja, Shib and Mandali, came by a personal decision from the Prime Minister, issued from his private office. Investigation committees were formed to uncover the circumstances of the materials that were passed through and the violations by the security forces and official bodies, and to hold the parties involved accountable.
The source added that the closure of the border crossings also came as an economic punishment in response to the attempt by Iraqi factions linked to Iran to drag the country into the ongoing regional conflict in the region.
This comes in conjunction with the Security Media Cell’s confirmation, earlier today, that the competent security authorities have begun administrative and security arrangements at a number of border crossings, which necessitates their closure, following an attack targeting Saudi Arabia launched from Iraqi territory.
The cell explained in an official statement that the security authorities have taken a series of necessary legal measures and intensified intelligence work, investigation and auditing to find out the circumstances of the breaches and violations that occurred at these border crossings and to develop appropriate solutions and remedies for them, noting to citizens and travelers that the Zurbatiyah and Al-Mundhiriya border crossings are open to the movement of travelers.
For his part, the member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Sakr Al-Muhammadawi, revealed that he had made direct contact with the Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, to reopen the closed border crossings.
Al-Muhammadi told Shafaq News Agency that an agreement has been reached with the Commander-in-Chief’s office to open the border crossings for three hours to allow Iraqis stranded in Iran to return home.
For his part, the head of the Security Media Authority, Lieutenant General Saad Maan, confirmed in a statement that entry and exit would be permitted for Iraqi travelers stranded at the Shalamja and Shib border crossings, following a directive from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
In Baghdad, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into the Maysan Operations Command, after it was proven that the attacks targeting Saudi Arabia originated from the province. He also decided to dismiss the commander of the Maysan Operations.
Al-Zaidi stressed that his government “will not tolerate any activity that endangers Iraq or its relations with friendly countries,” at a time when Baghdad is seeking to contain the repercussions of using Iraqi territory to launch attacks on the Kingdom.
The Iraqi government has also completely closed the Shalamcheh, Shib and Mandali border crossings with Iran, as part of measures taken in light of recent security developments.
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday that the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions was targeted by several drones coming from Iraq, noting that it “chose not to respond at this stage, and to support the efforts of the Iraqi government.”
shafaq.com
