UPI: Iran closed its border with Iraq Wednesday and banned its citizens from traveling to the war-torn country where the Shiites’
holiest shrines are.
The Iranian News Agency, IRNA, quoted an official statement as saying the border closure and the travel ban were dictated by the deteriorating security situation in Iraq. United Press International
Tehran, Iran – Iran closed its border with Iraq Wednesday and banned its citizens from traveling to the war-torn country where the Shiites’ holiest shrines are.
The Iranian News Agency, IRNA, quoted an official statement as saying the border closure and the travel ban were dictated by the deteriorating security situation in Iraq.
“As long as this country is unstable and insecure it is forbidden for Iranian nationals to visit it,” the statement said.
The statement said the border was closed for the same reasons.
Dozens of people were killed and injured last week in car bomb explosions that ripped through the holy Shiite cities of Karbala and Najaf in southern Iraq.
