Pakistan and Iraq shut key border crossings with Iran under US pressure: report

Pakistan and Iraq have closed or sharply restricted several important land border crossings with Iran in recent days, intensifying the economic isolation of the Islamic Republic already strained by a US naval blockade and expanded sanctions, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing multiple regional sources.

The moves compound pressure on Iran’s remaining overland trade routes after sea and air options were largely severed.

The Journal noted that Iraq and Pakistan are “cutting off some important land routes in and out of Iran, adding to the economic pressure on the regime after a U.S. naval blockade and tough sanctions on airlines severed most of the country’s shipping and air routes.”

The isolation comes as the Trump administration continues military and economic pressure aimed at extracting concessions on Iran’s nuclear program, with diplomacy stalled.

Pakistan suspended commercial trade through the Taftan and Gabd-Rimdan crossings in Balochistan province around mid-October.

The Ministry of Commerce withdrew an earlier order facilitating trade, effective immediately.

Pakistani officials, including Balochistan adviser Shahid Rind, cited the need “to address security concerns, prevent smuggling, and make the border system more effective.”

Iranian officials described the disruption as temporary and linked to technical issues, with consultations underway.

Passenger traffic continued at some points, but hundreds to around 2,000 trucks—many carrying LPG, rice, fruit, and other goods—were stranded.

The Gabd-Rimdan route had become critical for Pakistan’s energy imports, handling more than 4,000 tonnes of LPG daily out of roughly 7,000 tonnes imported from Iran overall.

Prices for a 12 kg LPG cylinder jumped sharply in Pakistan, from around Rs4,500 to Rs7,000 or higher in some areas within days.

On Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan stated: “Pakistan, as a responsible member of the international community, adheres to and shall continue to adhere to all applicable sanctions regimes in accordance with international and domestic laws,” amid questions about whether US secondary sanctions influenced the decision.

Iraq closed the busy Sheeb border crossing in Maysan province to passengers, vehicles, and commercial trucks until further notice starting October 21.
Iraqi officials said the step was to review security arrangements and install detection equipment against smuggling of prohibited materials.

Sources linked the decision to broader US pressure on Baghdad to limit Iranian access and earlier concerns over drone-related activity and attacks launched from Iraqi territory.

Reports indicated possible gradual closures of additional crossings, though some trade routes remained open.

These border restrictions tighten the economic squeeze on Iran, which has relied more heavily on overland routes through neighbors after the US blockade of its southern ports and wider sanctions under measures such as Operation Economic Outcast.

Official bilateral trade volumes are modest in some cases, but the disruptions affect energy supplies, perishable goods, and transit cargo, raising costs and stranding trucks on both sides.

Iranian and Pakistani officials have held talks aimed at resolving the issues, while Iraq faces domestic protests from traders affected by the Sheeb closure.