The US is targeting Iran. And they twist the arms of Iraq.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein said the US Treasury Department had formally asked Baghdad to close all but two border crossings with Iran due to Washington's growing economic pressure on Tehran. The request comes as US Central Command creates the task force's Iron Gate to block Iran's land routes.
"Closing the border crossings may be a punishment for Iran, but it will also hurt Iraq. Trade will stop, traffic will stop and our economy will be affected," Hussein said, adding: "The Americans still want to close the border crossings and we are negotiating with them."
Iraq has the longest border with Iran, with official and unofficial checkpoints. The volume of bilateral trade ranges from 15 to 18 billion dollars per year.
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