TEHRAN – Iraqi border guards have temporarily shut one of the main frontier posts with Iran, blocking large numbers of pilgrims from entering the country ahead of a major Shiite Muslim holy day, press reports said Tuesday.
According to the official news agency IRNA, the Shalamsheh crossing point — situated close to the southern Iraqi city of Basra — was closed on Monday, the eve of the end of mourning for the seventh-century martyrdom of Shiite Imam Hussein.
Iraqi border guards also reportedly reinforced their presence at the crossing, and commercial transport was also blocked. The report said the border was likely to be closed until Sunday, adding the move was made without coordination with Iranian officials and apparently without explanation.
Iraqi officials have frequently accused Iran of allowing insurgents to use its territory to enter Iraq, charges that Tehran has denied.
