Iraq decided Sunday to gradually reopen its three land border crossings with Iran, despite the risk of U.S. economic sanctions. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered officials to “set defined timetables for the opening process.”
1+Al-Zaidi said the reopening would proceed “after conducting a review of the work situation at the border crossings, and identifying their organizational and technical needs, and in coordination with all departments and agencies operating in them, and in a manner that strengthens the security of the crossings while maintaining a normal flow of trade and movement of citizens.”
1+The move puts al-Zaidi in direct conflict with Trump’s new sanctions against Iran, which warn that any country helping Iran recover economically will face sanctions itself. The Iraqi official appears undeterred by the threat—all crossings between the two countries are expected to be open by Thursday.
The reopening comes after pro-Iranian militias operating in Iraq attacked Saudi Arabia with drones during the holiday. Following that strike, the border crossings between Iran and Iraq were immediately blocked to prevent the attackers from fleeing into Iranian territory. Now, just days after the attack and before any significant arrests have been reported, the crossings are opening again.