ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran's embassy in Baghdad on Saturday rejected allegations by an advisor to Iraq's prime minister that narcotics and counterfeit currency were entering the country through a border crossing with Iran, calling on Iraqi authorities to respond to remarks it said could damage bilateral relations.
“The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Iraq strongly denies the false claims made by Abdul Amir al-Taiban, advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, regarding the closure of the Sheeb crossing under the pretext of the spread of drugs and counterfeit currency,” the embassy said on X.
It added that it expected the relevant Iraqi authorities to “take a stance on claims that harm relations between the two countries.”
The dispute follows Iraq's closure of the Sheeb border crossing in southern Maysan province on Wednesday. Baghdad said the closure was necessary to upgrade the crossing's technical and security infrastructure, while Tehran criticized the decision.
The dispute also drew criticism from controversial Iranian business tycoon Babak Zanjani, who on Thursday called for further restrictions on Iraqi oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the crossing's closure. “With Iraq’s arrogant prime minister closing the border with Iran, it is now time for this narrow route to face further restrictions as well, so that Baghdad understands the true meaning of a border closure and its consequences,” Zanjani said
Appearing on Iraqi TV Channel NTV Iraq on Friday following the closure, Abdul Amir Hassan Ali al-Taiban, an advisor to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, alleged that narcotics and counterfeit currency were being smuggled into southern Iraq through crossings with Iran.
“If you visit Nasiriyah, Amarah and the south, you will see our plight due to narcotics,” he said, alleging that uncontrolled groups and traders on the Iranian side were involved in smuggling.
Taiban also alleged corruption at the crossings, accusing unnamed political parties of exploiting them for financial gain. He said Zaidi was working to bring the crossings under government control and recover lost customs revenue.
Iran had already criticized the closure on Wednesday. Interior Ministry spokesperson Ali Zeini-Vand said Baghdad had failed to inform Tehran beforehand, despite a bilateral understanding requiring advance notification of prolonged border closures. He also argued that the decision would hurt Iraqi traders.
Iraqi government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi, meanwhile, maintained that the closure was intended to improve the crossing's technical and logistical capabilities, adding that trade with Iran continued through other border crossings.
Responding to the embassy on Saturday, Taiban defended his earlier remarks and called for relations between countries to be based on mutual respect and non-interference.
“Iraq's sovereignty, the dignity of its people, and the protection of its economic security are not matters for compromise or concession,” he said in a statement, adding that his position remained unchanged.
