Iraq Closes Shalamcheh Border Crossing With Iran After Deadly Strikes

ISTANBUL, April 4 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Iraq announced on Saturday that trade and passenger movement at the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran had been suspended after strikes on the Iranian side killed an Iraqi citizen, Anadolu Ajansi reported, citing the official Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The attacks also wounded five Iraqis, Lt Gen Omar Al-Waeli, head of the Border Ports Authority, said.

Those wounded were transferred to a hospital in Iran, Al-Waeli added.

He said there are alternative routes for bringing goods into the country, including the Safwan border crossing, as well as other land ports across various provinces that remain operational to ensure the flow of goods and supplies.

Earlier, the Shalamcheh border trade terminal in Iran was targeted in US-Israeli strikes.

Regional tensions have escalated since the United States (US) and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU