Iranian Embassy Denies Iraqi PM Advisor's Allegations, Calls for Official Response

The Iranian Embassy in Iraq issued a statement on Saturday strongly denying remarks made by Iraqi Prime Minister's advisor Abdul Amir Tayeban regarding the closure of the Al-Shib border crossing due to the spread of drugs and counterfeit currency. The statement rejected the allegations as false and emphasized the embassy's expectation that the relevant authorities will take an official stance responding to these accusations, which could harm bilateral relations. Abdul Amir Tayeban had accused the Iranian side of serious violations affecting Iraqi sovereignty, causing chaos at the border, as well as smuggling drugs and counterfeit currency that negatively impact the national economy. In press remarks on Wednesday, Tayeban highlighted that Iraq faces greater border challenges with Iran compared to its borders with Jordan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, noting repeated kidnappings of Iraqi citizens near the Shalamjah and Al-Shib crossings, and stressed that the damage caused by these activities exceeds the harm inflicted by ISIS on the local market and economy.