ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s border crossings with Iran are operating normally and have recorded a rise in passenger traffic, the head of the Border Ports Authority said Sunday, citing improved security conditions across the region.
"Commercial activity through border crossings with Iran was not affected during recent periods of escalation," head of Iraq's Border Ports Authority Omar al-Waeli said in an interview with Iraqi News Agency (INA), noting the continuous entry of trucks "at normal rates."
The development comes after a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran was announced on Wednesday, following weeks of war that began on February 28.
The conflict triggered weeks of disruption, during which Iraq closed its airspace amid US-Israeli airstrikes on neighboring Iran. The shutdown forced travelers to rely on land routes and brought a major international transit corridor to a standstill.
Regarding passenger traffic, Waeli stated that "all border crossings witnessed a notable increase in the number of passengers following the stabilization of the situation in the region."
He noted that "the Authority received those stranded abroad, both Iraqis and foreigners, due to the closure of airspace, and ensured their safe return to the country and travel to their respective countries.