The United States has requested that Iraq close nearly all of its border crossings with Iran, leaving only two open, according to Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. This directive is part of Washington's broader strategy to increase economic pressure on Tehran, as outlined in an interview with Al Jazeera.

Hussein highlighted the complexity of implementing this request, noting that Iraq has numerous official and unofficial border crossings with Iran. He expressed concerns that closing all these crossings would pose significant challenges and negatively impact Iraq's economy. Despite these difficulties, he confirmed that the Americans are insisting on the closure of these crossings as part of their policy.S2

The two exceptions to the closure include one crossing located in the Kurdistan region, which is critical for maintaining some level of trade and economic interaction between Iraq and Iran. The Iraqi government is currently navigating the delicate balance between complying with US demands and safeguarding its own economic interests, particularly given the intertwined nature of its economy with that of Iran.S2