[[{"content_id":422586,"content_number":0,"portal_id":2,"lang_id":"en","content_title":"Resistance will close Jordan, Saudi crossings if Iran crossings stay shut, Kata'ib Hezbollah warns Iraqi gov.","content_rtitr":"","content_short_title":null,"content_summary":"Iraqi resistance group Kata'ib Hezbollah has warned Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s government that it will close border crossings with Jordan and Saudi Arabia if Baghdad keeps crossings with Iran shut.","content_summary_fill":1,"content_body":" \r\n\r\nThe warning follows Baghdad’s October 21 closure of the al-Sheeb crossing in Maysan Province, a key route for Iranian food products, construction materials and pilgrims traveling to Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe crossing was shut to passengers, vehicles and commercial trucks until further notice, with Iraqi officials citing security reviews and deficiencies in technical and logistical facilities.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe decision has raised concerns among Iraqi political factions and border communities, which depend heavily on trade with Iran and fear that prolonged closures will disrupt supply chains, damage local businesses and drive up prices.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe closure has already provoked anger in Maysan, where the al-Sheeb crossing serves as a major gateway for trade.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe move has also intensified criticism that al-Zaidi’s government is prioritizing Washington’s demands over Iraq’s economic interests.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nReports indicate that the US has pressed Baghdad to restrict cross-border commerce with Iran as part of a wider campaign to increase economic pressure on Tehran.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe US Treasury Department raised the issue with al-Zaidi during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIn April, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration had suspended shipments of US currency affecting about $500 million in proceeds from Iraqi oil sales, as Washington sought to influence the formation of the new government.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nTrump had publicly opposed the return of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, threatening to cut off US support for Iraq if he returned to office.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAli al-Zaidi subsequently emerged as the consensus candidate after months of political deadlock, amid US pressure over the premiership.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nDuring al-Zaidi’s visit to the White House, Trump praised him as “a great leader in the Middle East” and declared, “Mark my words, I knew what I was doing.”\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWashington has also urged other countries bordering Iran, including Pakistan, to impose similar restrictions.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe pressure places Baghdad in a difficult position as Iraq maintains extensive commercial and religious ties with Iran.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIraq shares a border of more than 1,400 kilometers with Iran, and relies on cross-border trade for essential goods and economic activity in several provinces.\r\n\r\n ","content_html":"

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The warning follows Baghdad’s October 21 closure of the al-Sheeb crossing in Maysan Province, a key route for Iranian food products, construction materials and pilgrims traveling to Iraq’s holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The crossing was shut to passengers, vehicles and commercial trucks until further notice, with Iraqi officials citing security reviews and deficiencies in technical and logistical facilities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The decision has raised concerns among Iraqi political factions and border communities, which depend heavily on trade with Iran and fear that prolonged closures will disrupt supply chains, damage local businesses and drive up prices.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The closure has already provoked anger in Maysan, where the al-Sheeb crossing serves as a major gateway for trade.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The move has also intensified criticism that al-Zaidi’s government is prioritizing Washington’s demands over Iraq’s economic interests.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Reports indicate that the US has pressed Baghdad to restrict cross-border commerce with Iran as part of a wider campaign to increase economic pressure on Tehran.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The US Treasury Department raised the issue with al-Zaidi during his visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly in September.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

In April, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration had suspended shipments of US currency affecting about $500 million in proceeds from Iraqi oil sales, as Washington sought to influence the formation of the new government.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Trump had publicly opposed the return of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, threatening to cut off US support for Iraq if he returned to office.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Ali al-Zaidi subsequently emerged as the consensus candidate after months of political deadlock, amid US pressure over the premiership.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

During al-Zaidi’s visit to the White House, Trump praised him as “a great leader in the Middle East” and declared, “Mark my words, I knew what I was doing.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Washington has also urged other countries bordering Iran, including Pakistan, to impose similar restrictions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

The pressure places Baghdad in a difficult position as Iraq maintains extensive commercial and religious ties with Iran.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n

Iraq shares a border of more than 1,400 kilometers with Iran, and relies on cross-border trade for essential goods and economic activity in several provinces.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>","content_source":"","content_url":"","content_date_start":"2026-10-28 10:25:23","content_date_event":"2026-10-28 10:25:23","content_date_event_start":null,"content_date_event_end":null,"content_show_title_slider":1,"content_date_last_edit":"2026-10-28 10:26:04","content_date_register":"2026-10-28 10:26:04","content_columns":0,"content_show_img":1,"content_show_details":0,"content_show_related_img":0,"content_show_slider":1,"content_comment":1,"content_score":0,"tag_id":0,"score_average":null,"score_count":null,"score_date_last":null,"uid":43,"eid":0,"attach_title":"Resistance will close Jordan, Saudi crossings if Iran crossings stay shut, Kata'ib Hezbollah warns Iraqi gov.","attaches":[{"sizes":{"150":".\/cache\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594_150_84.webp","300":".\/cache\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594_300_169.webp","400":".\/cache\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594_400_225.webp","600":".\/cache\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594_600_337.webp","900":".\/cache\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594_900_506.webp","1200":".\/cache\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594_1000_562.jpg"},"ext":"jpg","file_media":1,"token":3717339594,"files":{"original":{"url":".\/file\/2\/attach\/202610\/575886_3717339594.jpg","width":1000,"height":562,"size":0}}}]}]]