Iraqi authorities restored operations at the Al-Sheeb border checkpoint on Tuesday, ending a shutdown that began in late October. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, this decision came alongside the temporary suspension of traffic at the Mandali crossing in Diyala province, effective Friday. The head of the national border ports agency explained that technical upgrades at Al-Sheeb were completed, while Mandali requires similar maintenance. These adjustments follow a formal request from the US Treasury Department for Baghdad to limit open land borders with Tehran to just two points.
The border changes coincide with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s recent secret trip to Tehran. Fuad Hussein, the Iraqi foreign minister, stated that the visit aimed to narrow the gap between American and Iranian positions. Speaking to the Iraqi News Agency, Hussein highlighted the economic strain from the Strait of Hormuz closure and military losses in the US-Iran conflict. A senior government official told Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Zaidi delivered a US-proposed resolution framework to Iranian leaders, who asked for additional time to consider the terms.
While officials frame the visit as a mediation push, a source near Iraq’s Coordination Framework suggested domestic politics played a larger role. The source argued that Baghdad needed to explain its recent restrictions on Iranian flights and border closures to prevent Tehran’s anger. This domestic friction is evident in the ongoing ban on Iranian aircraft, which are currently allowed to land only in Najaf to avoid US sanctions. Consequently, the Iranian national football team recently flew to Abadan before traveling by road to Basra for a regional tournament.
Academic Ihssan Shmary viewed the trip as part of al-Zaidi’s broader effort to secure a regional diplomatic role. He noted that the visit aligns with wider Arab initiatives to prevent renewed fighting between Washington and Tehran. However, Shmary cautioned that Baghdad’s ability to force both superpowers to negotiate remains uncertain, despite its stated ambition to act as a bridge between the two capitals.