Iraq shuts al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran, signals more closures

Iraq closed the crowded al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran indefinitely, halting all movement while it overhauls border security measures.

• Iraq closed the al-Sheeb border crossing with Iran on Wednesday, suspending all passenger and commercial traffic until further notice.
• A border official told Reuters the closure allows installation of advanced screening equipment to curb smuggling of prohibited materials.
• Iraqi government sources told Al Jazeera the prime minister ordered the closure, with several crossings to shut gradually in coming days.
• Baghdad closed the al-Shalamjah crossing last September amid drone strikes targeting sites in Saudi Arabia.