In the weeks before the Iron Gate task force was announced, American diplomats tried, but failed, to pressure countries bordering Iran to close their land border crossings with Iran, according to one American official and three Iraqis who spoke to The New York Times. In particular, Iraq, Pakistan and Turkey have been particularly reluctant to carry out the US plans, fearing that the policy could harm their countries as much as Iran.
Turkey has refused to close any border crossings with Iran, while Iraq and Pakistan have closed one or two at a time as a tribute to the United States, citing reasons unrelated to Iran, then reopened them.
Iraq fears unrest among smugglers and militants along the Iran-Iraq border, which is not under the full control of the Iraqi government. One US official said that neighboring countries fear a "civil uprising" if smuggling and trade routes with Iran are closed.