Iraq, Turkey and Pakistan have refused to close their land borders with Iran, despite pressure from the United States to do so. Even after weeks of diplomatic efforts by Washington, these three nations have not agreed to halt cross-border trade—a setback for US attempts to restrict Iran’s land-based commerce.
The United States has been pressuring Iran’s neighbors to shut down their border crossings. However, given the significant economic and commercial ties these countries maintain with Iran, they have been unwilling to accede to Washington’s demands.
Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan were the primary targets of this US pressure. Three Iraqi officials and one US official familiar with the matter informed the media that these countries have resisted the US demands in various ways.
This US initiative is part of a broader effort to exert economic pressure on Iran. Having previously imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, Washington is now seeking to halt the transport of goods and trade via land routes—effectively calling on neighboring countries to play a role in enforcing US sanctions against Iran.
Iraq Unwilling to Close Border with Iran
Iraqi officials stated that during regular meetings with US diplomats—which included the participation of US regional envoy Thomas Barrack—Baghdad was requested to close all but two of its border crossings with Iran.
Iraq, however, did not comply with this demand. While it did temporarily close one or two crossings in an attempt to appease Washington, the resulting disruption to trade in border regions sparked widespread public anger.
Iraq’s energy dependence on Iran makes the prospect of closing the border even more difficult. More than a third of the natural gas used for electricity generation in Iraq comes from Iran; therefore, a prolonged border closure could severely impact the country’s power production and overall economy.
Turkey’s Reluctance and Pakistan’s Inconsistent Approach
Turkey has effectively refused to alter its border policy regarding Iran. Pakistan, meanwhile, has taken an inconsistent approach, intermittently closing and reopening its border crossings. Islamabad has cited the security situation and the introduction of a new electronic system for import procedures as the reasons behind this.
Pakistan’s formal annual trade with Iran amounts to approximately $3 billion. Furthermore, the country relies on Iran for energy supplies. Consequently, acceding to the U.S. demand to close the border could have a negative impact on Pakistan’s economy.
An official involved in discussions with the United States acknowledged that halting trade and the movement of goods across the border could trigger significant discontent among the populations living near the borders in Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey. The official even warned that the situation could escalate into a “popular uprising.”
The official added that U.S. efforts to exert pressure on Iran are fueling resentment among regional partners. Neighboring countries were already uneasy regarding the prospect of a war against Iran—involving the U.S. and Israel—and the potential economic and humanitarian consequences of such a conflict.
Ellie Geranmayeh, an expert on Iran at the European Council on Foreign Relations, commented on the U.S. role, noting that Washington is increasingly perceived as an “uncertain and unreliable ally.” As she put it, “Iran will remain their neighbor.”
“Iron Gate”: A New U.S. Initiative for Border Control
Having failed to persuade neighboring countries to close their borders through diplomatic pressure, the United States has launched a new initiative. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced a special program dubbed “Task Force Iron Gate.”
Comprising 20 civilian and military personnel based in Florida, this task force aims to control the movement of goods across Iran’s land borders and via the Caspian Sea.
A U.S. military official stated that while members of the task force will not carry out direct military strikes themselves, they may encourage Iran’s neighbors to deploy their own forces to restrict the flow of goods across the borders.
Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi met with Russian Ambassador to Tehran, Alexey Dedov, on Tuesday to discuss how to counter this new U.S. initiative. Iraqi Provincial Governor Declares Support for Iran
Meanwhile, Ali Hassan Salimun, the governor of Iraq’s Wasit Province, has declared his support for Iran in the face of foreign aggression. He stated that neither the Iraqi government nor its people would leave the Islamic Republic of Iran to stand alone.
He made these remarks on Thursday during a joint meeting in the Iraqi city of Kut with Ahmad Karami, the governor of Iran’s Ilam Province. Salimun noted that, during recent acts of aggression by the United States and Israel, the Iranian people and their armed forces have demonstrated their capability to confront foreign powers.
During the meeting, Salimun also conveyed greetings and a message of welcome from the Iraqi Prime Minister to the Iranian delegation. He emphasized that Baghdad is firmly committed to strengthening and expanding cooperation with Iran across various sectors.
He further highlighted the potential for enhancing trade and connectivity between Iran’s Ilam Province and Iraq’s Wasit Province—regions that share a common border. Salimun cited the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage as a prime example of successful collaboration between the two provinces, noting that on-the-ground inspections and joint decision-making have facilitated the resolution of various issues and improved coordination.
He emphasized prioritizing the establishment of a joint free trade zone between Iran and Iraq, specifically highlighting the expansion of commercial ties between the provinces of Ilam and Wasit. He also proposed enhancing bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector and facilitating the movement of vehicles through a memorandum of understanding.
Iran’s Ilam province shares a 430-kilometer border with Iraq—the longest shared border between any two provinces of the two nations. This province plays a significant role in trade and religious tourism with Iraq; notably, the Mehran International Border Terminal serves as a key gateway for travel and commerce between the two countries.
Located approximately 230 kilometers from Baghdad, Mehran offers one of the most direct overland routes from Iran to the Iraqi capital and various significant pilgrimage sites within the country. Meanwhile, Kut—the capital of Wasit province—is situated about 90 kilometers from Mehran and 180 kilometers from Ilam.
