Iraq Opens Largest Border Gate at Iran Border Near Basra

BASRA, Iraq — Iraq's Transport Minister Razzag Mahibes es-Sa'dawi and Basra Governor Asa'd el-Eidani visited the Shalamcheh border gate on the Iran border to inspect project work on the new crossing. The new border gate is designed to become Iraq's largest border crossing. The project includes a 36-kilometer railway line connecting to Iran, with a train station located within the border gate complex. Basra Governor el-Eidani said the gate will open next week before the Muharram month begins. The railway route requires the relocation of 54 houses, two schools and a police station. Local residents have received new land plots and compensation. The facility aims to facilitate both passenger and cargo transport, targeting increased commercial and religious pilgrimage traffic between Iraq and Iran.