WANA (May 16) – Following a direct order from Iraq’s Prime Minister, all customs offices across the country have been instructed to fully resume transit and cargo movement between Iran and Iraq, in a move that could strengthen Iran’s trade routes amid ongoing external pressure.
The Iraqi government has issued an official directive to customs authorities in the northern, central, western, and southern regions, as well as the air cargo customs office and Baghdad International Airport customs, instructing them to activate transit operations, reloading procedures, and goods transportation with Iran without restrictions.
The decision comes as Iran has been seeking to expand alternative trade and transit corridors in recent weeks. More than a month has passed since the intensification of U.S. maritime pressure on Iranian trade, while Tehran has simultaneously worked to strengthen its overland and rail connections with neighboring countries and regional partners.
In this context, rail trade between Iran and China has seen a significant increase in recent months, reportedly tripling in volume according to official sources. Pakistan has also recently launched a new transit route with Iran and authorized the passage of third-country goods through its territory destined for Iran.
With the full reopening of Iraqi customs, one of Iran’s most important overland trade routes in the region has now been reactivated—serving not only bilateral commerce but also playing a key role in connecting Iran to Arab markets and regional transit networks.