IRAQ REOPENS BORDER: Baghdad Defies U.S. Sanctions Threat With Iran Crossings

Stranded Iranians and Iraqis wait at the Iraq-Iran border following the Iraqi government's decision to close the Shalamsheh border crossing in the southern Basra province on September 12, 2026. Iraq closed three border crossings with Iran on September 12, officials told AFP, after a drone attack on a Saudi Arabian pipeline that both Riyadh and Baghdad said was launched from Iraq. Following the September 11, night attack, Iraqi prime minister dismissed the military commander in Missan province, on the Iran border, after authorities determined that the drones had been launched from there. The closed crossings are Shalamsheh in Basra province, al-Shib in Missan and al-Mandali in the central province of Diyala. (Photo by Hussein FALEH / AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq announced Sunday that it will gradually reopen three land border crossings with Iran, despite the possibility of facing U.S. sanctions.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi instructed officials to establish a clear timetable for reopening the crossings. All three are expected to be operational by Thursday.

Al-Zaidi said the process would begin after officials review conditions at the crossings and identify their organizational and technical needs. He added that the reopening would be coordinated with all government agencies operating at the sites, while maintaining security and allowing the normal movement of trade and citizens.

The decision places Baghdad in direct conflict with new U.S. sanctions targeting Iran. The sanctions warn that countries assisting Iran’s economic recovery could also face penalties.

The reopening comes days after pro-Iranian militias operating in Iraq launched a drone attack against Saudi Arabia during Yom Tov. Following the attack, Iraq immediately closed its border crossings with Iran to prevent the perpetrators from fleeing into Iranian territory.

The crossings are now being reopened just days later, despite no significant arrests being reported in connection with the attack.

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