Iran closes borders with Iraq amid unrest in Baghdad

An Iranian senior security official has said that Iran has closed all border crossings with Iraq following the escalation of political tensions in Baghdad.

Majid Mirahmadi, a deputy interior minister for security and law enforcement affairs, added that all flights to Iraq have been suspended due to security reasons, the IRNA news agency reported on August 30. 

He said that the decision has been made to ensure the security of pilgrims, and added that travel to Iraq would resume after security has been fully established in the country.

Thousands of pilgrims from Iran have been planning to visit Iraq to mark the annual Arbaeen ceremony in the city of Karbala, where millions of Shia Muslims gather to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

At least 15 people have been killed and around 350 people injured in clashes between Iraqi security forces and supporters of powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. The violence erupted after Sadr announced his retirement from politics.