Iranian customs officials discussed reopening of Mehran border with Iraqi partners to resume trade as both nations have taken health measures to guarantee hygienic transportation of goods, a local official said.
Director General of Ilam Customs Office Rouhollah Gholami said that Iran’s envoy in Baghdad is seriously pursuing the issue.
The coronavirus outbreak caused a two-month halting of trade activity between Iran and Iraq via this border, he said adding that necessary health measures have been taken to resume trade activity through this border.”
Mehran, a key border spot between the two countries, was one of the first borders closed down after the spread of the new coronavirus.
The map shows main border crossings between Iran and Iraq
Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan also reached an agreement before to reopen the Shushmi border to cargo traffic under the supervision of a medical team and the police.
Drivers welcomed the re-opening of the border which links the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq with Iran, saying that many lost their jobs because of its closure. The border still remains closed for tourists and the regular passage of people.
Meanwhile according to local authorities Iran has resumed exports to the neighboring Afghanistan through the Milak border crossing in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan Province.
A total of 80,072 tons of goods were exported from Milak border terminal to Afghanistan during the first month of the current Iranian year (March 20-April 19), said Teymour Baqeri the deputy head of the province’s Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization.