Iran has announced the closure of all land borders to Iraq and the suspension of flights to Baghdad due to the events in Iraq.
According to Iranian state television, Deputy Interior Ministry Majid Mirahmedi stated that all land borders with this country have been closed due to the events in Iraq.
Urging Iranians to avoid traveling to this country, Mirahmadi said, “I emphasize that due to the unstable environment in Iraq, all land borders of Iran and Iraq have been closed and no one will be allowed to cross the borders.”
The decision comes as millions of Iranians prepare to visit the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf for the Arbaeen ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Saeed Chalanderi, the official in charge of Imam Khomeini International Airport in the capital Tehran, announced the temporary suspension of flights to Baghdad until further notice.
Mir Akbar Rezavi, spokesman for the Aviation Organization of Iran, said that they have planned an extraordinary flight to Najaf to bring Iranian citizens who are in Najaf for the Arbaeen ceremonies back to the country.
Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of the Sadrist Movement, the winner of last year’s general elections in Iraq, announced yesterday on his social media account that he had “completely withdrawn from politics”.
A group of Sadr supporters gathered in front of the Government Palace in the protected Green Zone, where government buildings and foreign missions are located, and protested against the government. Despite the security measures taken, the pro-Sadr group gathered in front of the Government Palace by breaking the concrete barriers and called on the government officials to resign.
Subsequently, a curfew was declared in Baghdad due to the protest of Sadr supporters.
