Iraq's Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran remained closed on October 31, about ten days after Baghdad ordered it shut. Maysan's provincial council gave the federal government three days from October 25 to reopen it. That deadline passed on Thursday, October 29, without a reopening.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into Maysan Council chairman Mustafa Da'ir over his civil-disobedience threat, and a court briefly sought his arrest. On October 28 Iraq's customs chief said the crossing could reopen "at any moment," but it has one often faulty scanner. Truck owners and workers protested at the crossing on October 31. Parliament's inquiry committee has not published findings.
Why it matters
If more crossings shut, southern Iraqi markets lose cheap Iranian produce and building materials, and prices climb.
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Key Indicators
$10B
Annual Iraq-Iran trade at risk
Bilateral trade exceeded $10 billion last year, much of it through border crossings like Al-Sheeb.
8
Official border crossings between Iraq and Iran
The two countries share a border with at least eight official crossings.
1,400 km
Length of Iraq-Iran border
The shared border runs more than 1,400 kilometers with at least eight official crossings.
$1.3M-$2.6M
Daily revenue at Al-Sheeb
Iraq's customs chief said the crossing can bring in 2 billion to 4 billion dinars a day, about $1.3 million to $2.6 million at the official rate.
15 events
Latest: October 31st, 2026 · 1 week ago
Showing 8 of 15
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October 2026
Truck owners and workers protest at Al-Sheeb
LatestProtest
Truck owners, taxi drivers and crossing workers protested on the road to the crossing, demanding it reopen after an 11-day closure. Earlier that week, demonstrators blocked the Bazargan road used by oil companies.
Maysan's three-day deadline passes
Politics
The three-day deadline the Maysan council set on October 25 ran out without Al-Sheeb reopening.
Customs chief says Al-Sheeb could reopen at any moment
Statement
Thamer Qasim Dawood, head of Iraq's General Customs Authority, said staff remain at the crossing and it has only one scanner, which breaks down from time to time.
Judiciary releases Maysan council chief
Legal
The judiciary released Da'ir hours after his arrest over his civil-disobedience threat, according to a 964media report.
Iraqi court seeks arrest of Maysan council chief
Legal
An Iraqi court sought the arrest of Maysan Provincial Council chairman Mustafa Da'ir over his threat to declare civil disobedience unless the crossing reopened.
PM orders probe into Maysan council chief
Politics
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation into Da'ir's threat. His office said the relevant authorities would decide whether his statements carried legal liability.
Maysan sets three-day deadline to reopen Al-Sheeb
Politics
Provincial council head Mustafa Da'ir gave the federal government three days at a press conference near the crossing. He warned the council could escalate to a civil boycott, road closures and steps toward separating from Baghdad's authority.
Parliament opens inquiry into Al-Sheeb closure
Policy
Parliament formed a committee of Maysan lawmakers and border-crossing committee members to examine why the crossing was shut; it is expected to report within 72 hours. Maysan lawmakers said the closure raised food prices and stopped some patients from travelling for treatment.
Iran says it shot down US drone over Bandar Abbas
Security
Iran's army said its air defenses downed a US LUCAS drone over the southern port city. The announcement came as Washington pressed Tehran and Qatari mediators visited Tehran; Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a war would not change Iran's policy.
Iraq closes Al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran
Policy
Iraq closes the Al-Sheeb crossing to passengers, vehicles, and commercial trucks until further notice for a security review.
Iraqi government says Al-Sheeb facilities were not ready
Statement
The government said the crossing closed because its technical and logistical facilities could not handle continued operations, its first official explanation for the shutdown.
Adviser denies US pressure behind Al-Sheeb closure
Statement
Government adviser Abdul Amir Taiban said the closure was needed to keep drugs and counterfeit currency out of Iraq, and ruled out US pressure or a blockade of Iran.
Iraqi officials say other crossings will close gradually
Statement
An official source says other crossings with Iran will be closed gradually under the prime minister's instructions.
September 2026
Iraq temporarily closes Shalamcheh crossing
Security
Iraq closes the Shalamcheh crossing as a precaution after drone attacks on Saudi Arabia.
US Treasury raises border closures with Iraq's prime minister
Diplomacy
US Treasury raises border closures with Prime Minister al-Zaidi at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Scenarios
1
Al-Sheeb reopens after security review
Likely
Resolves by Nov 30, 2026
Discussed by: Reuters; Iranian officials
The security review is completed, detection equipment is installed, and the crossing reopens to traffic. Other crossings remain open. This is the most likely outcome given the stated reason for closure.
2
Iraq closes additional crossings with Iran
Possible
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: Asharq Al-Awsat; The Jerusalem Post
US pressure continues and Iraq closes more crossings with Iran. Trade drops sharply, prices rise in southern markets, and pro-Iran factions in Iraq's parliament push back.
3
Iraq reverses course, reopens all crossings
Unlikely
Resolves by End of 2026
Discussed by: Iranian officials; pro-Iran political blocs in Iraq
Domestic political pushback from pro-Iran factions forces Iraq to reverse the closures. All crossings reopen and trade resumes at previous levels.
4
Maysan escalates after deadline passes
Deadline passed (Oct 29, 2026)
Discussed by: Maysan Provincial Council
If Baghdad does not reopen Al-Sheeb within three days, the council said it could move to a civil boycott, close roads and take steps toward separating from federal authority. Its head, Mustafa Da'ir, said the confrontation could extend into Thursday.
Historical Context
2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 2
May 2018 - 2019
US maximum pressure campaign on Iran (2018-2019)
The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and reimposed sanctions, pressuring countries to cut Iranian oil imports. Several countries, including Iraq, received waivers but faced pressure to reduce trade with Tehran.
Then
Iranian oil exports dropped sharply, and Iran's economy contracted.
Now
Iran continued trading through neighboring countries and informal channels. The campaign did not force regime change.
Why this matters now
Shows how US sanctions pressure on Iran affects neighboring countries' trade decisions, similar to the current pressure on Iraq.
2 of 2
March 2020 - 2021
Iraq's COVID-19 border closures (2020)
Iraq closed border crossings with Iran and other countries during the pandemic to prevent virus spread. The closures disrupted trade and caused price increases in Iraqi markets.
Then
Trade was disrupted, and prices of basic goods rose in Iraqi markets.
Now
Crossings reopened as restrictions eased, and trade resumed.
Why this matters now
Shows how border closures affect Iraqi markets and prices, similar to the potential impact of the current closures.
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