The US has failed to force Iran's neighboring countries - Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan - to close their border crossings, the New York Times (NYT) reports, citing sources.
According to the publication, for several weeks American diplomats tried unsuccessfully to convince countries to block land routes. Such routes remain Tehran's last economic artery after the naval blockade of the ports and anti-aviation sanctions.
As the NYT points out, Iran's neighbors fear that closing the borders will cause them as much damage as Iran itself and will cause unrest among the local population and the smugglers. As a result, Turkey refused to change its border policy, and Iraq and Pakistan limited themselves to temporarily closing individual crossings.
More interesting things - Batik-tok Enib Armenia.