Iraq's Border Authority Says Chazabeh Crossing Will Reopen Soon, Eastern Crossings to Run Around the Clock

Omar al-Waeli, head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority, said in a television interview reported via Tasnim in the early hours of Monday, November 9, 2026 (18 Aban 1405), that the al-Sheib crossing on the Iraqi side of the Chazabeh border will reopen "in the near future" to expand goods trade. He gave no exact reopening date: this is a promise of a reopening, not confirmation that it has already happened.

The official said Iraq's prime minister had ordered all eastern crossings with Iran to operate around the clock for trade and passenger travel. Al-Waeli added that other crossings are ready to take goods and travellers if one crossing is interrupted or closed. The announcement matters to Iran-Iraq overland trade, but it gives no capacity or post-reopening traffic volume.