Iraq shuts Iran border after deadly strike

Iraq announced the immediate closure of the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran on Saturday, halting all trade and passenger traffic after US-Israeli strikes targeted the Iranian side of the terminal, killing one Iraqi national and wounding five others. The attack marks a significant escalation that has directly impacted Iraqi civilians on Iranian soil.

Lieutenant General Omar Al-Waeli, head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority, told the official Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the strikes resulted in the death of one Iraqi citizen and left five others injured. The wounded have been transferred to a medical facility inside Iran for treatment, Al-Waeli confirmed.

Alternative crossings available

Despite the closure of the Shalamcheh crossing, Al-Waeli assured that there are other options for bringing goods into Iraq. The Safwan border crossing remains operational, along with additional land ports across various provinces, all continuing to function normally to ensure the uninterrupted flow of goods and supplies into the country.

Wider regional conflict

The attack on the Shalamcheh border trade terminal is the latest incident in a widening regional confrontation. The United States and Israel launched a joint military offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, which has so far killed more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Tehran has carried out drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as US military assets stationed in Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries. Iraq, which hosts US forces on its territory, has increasingly found itself caught in the crossfire of the escalating conflict.