Skip to main content
Live blog update| Inside Iraq

Iran reopens Iraq border

Iran reopened its border with Iraq to travellers shortly after Muqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to withdraw from the streets, state media reported.

Tehran had earlier closed its borders and halted flights amid the eruption of violence on Monday. 

Millions of Iranians travel to the Iraqi city of Karbala every year for the ritual of Arbaeen, which marks the end of a 40-day mourning period for the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, Imam Hussein. Arbaeen falls on 16-17 September this year.

"As security and calm have been restored in Iraq, all borders are open now," state TV quoted an Iranian official as saying.