A US air strike hit the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran on Saturday, killing and wounding several people and halting trade and travel, in a sharp escalation that could signal a push by Washington to sever links between the two countries.
The crossing, east of Iraq’s Basra and about 30 km (19 miles) from the city center, is a key trade artery, with more than 300 trucks passing through daily.
The Iraqi Border Ports Authority chief, Lieutenant General Omar al-Waeli, said the strike “directly hit the passenger hall,” killing one Iraqi and wounding five others, who were taken to a hospital in Iran. He said the attack forced a halt to passenger and trade movement.
Al-Waeli said alternative crossings, including Safwan, remain available to ensure the flow of goods.
Some media reports said the strike coincided with the passage of logistical support convoys heading into Iran.
Reports of a similar strike on the Mehran crossing on the border with Wasit province were denied by a medical worker there, who told Asharq Al-Awsat the strike occurred in the nearby Iranian city of Mehran.
A source said support convoys organized by factions and other groups continue to cross into Iran, but increasingly use small vehicles to avoid US strikes.
The Popular Mobilization Forces had previously sent aid through Shalamcheh, amid reports Iraqi fighters had crossed into Iran to assist authorities in their war with the United States and Israel, raising the risk of escalation inside Iran.
Reza Pahlavi criticized on Friday the presence of Iraqi armed factions on Iranian territory.
Political analyst Falah al-Mashaal said targeting crossings appears aimed at “isolating Iraq from Iran,” adding the escalation likely seeks to block aid and disrupt trade, effectively imposing isolation “by bombs” after political efforts failed.
Later on Saturday, Iraq said passenger movement at the crossing had resumed, reportedthe country’s state official news agency INA.
Drone strikes hit oil facilities
In Iraq’s Basra, drones believed to have been launched by Iran-aligned factions struck oil facilities, in what appeared to be an effort to pressure foreign companies, particularly US firms, to leave the country.
Two drones hit sites operated by al-Majal company, sparking fires in Burjesia and the North Rumaila oilfield, with no casualties reported.
A source said the attack set fire to a food storage warehouse in Rumaila and damaged company offices in Burjesia. Civil defense teams extinguished one fire and brought the other under control.
US strikes also hit positions linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces in Anbar, where the group said one fighter was killed and five others wounded in al-Qaim.
The PMF said four of its fighters were wounded, along with a Defense Ministry member.
Sources close to the group told Asharq Al-Awsat it had ordered members to keep their distance from headquarters and granted leave to about half its personnel over fears of further strikes.
Separately, the Interior Ministry said its forces had taken over security duties in al-Qaim and al-Rummanah, part of a shift from the Defense Ministry within city centers.
The ministry said the move aims to strengthen security, allow army units to focus on border duties and improve coordination among forces, calling on citizens to report suspicious activity.
