US asks Iraq to shut most Iran border crossings, Iraqi foreign minister says

US asks Iraq to shut most Iran border crossings, Iraqi foreign minister says
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Summary US Treasury urges Iraq to close most border crossings with Iran, intensifying Washington's economic pressure on Tehran amid ongoing diplomatic discussions.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The US Treasury ​has asked Iraq to close ‌all border crossings with Iran except for two as part ​of Washington's policy of ​increasing economic pressure on Tehran, Iraqi ⁠Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein ​said in an interview with ​Al Jazeera.

One of the exceptions is in the Kurdistan region.

"There are many ​official and unofficial border ​crossings with Iran, and closing all ‌of ⁠them would be difficult and would affect our economy. The Americans are still demanding ​the closure ​of ⁠the crossings, and we are currently in discussions ​with them," Hussein said.

Last ​month, ⁠Iraq closed the busy Sheeb border crossing with Iran to ⁠review ​security and install ​detection equipment to stop smuggling.