Iran to re-open another border gate with Kurdistan after weeks of closure: Official

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iran is to re-open the Parwezkhan border crossing with the Kurdistan Region after three weeks of closure following the Sep. 25 referendum, a Kurdish official reported on Sunday.

“We have contacted the Iranian officials at the border gate. They have informed us that it would open in less than 48 hours to people and for trade,” Aram Sayakhan, the media director of the Parwezkhan border gate told Kurdistan 24.

“There is a high possibility that the gate would open on Monday,” Sayakhan added.

He also mentioned that preparations are underway to help businessmen and drivers resume their activities at the border crossing.

There are three official border crossings between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq: Bashmakh, Parwezkhan, and Haji Omaran. So far, no decisions have been made regarding the last border crossing which is located in the Erbil province.

Trade between the Kurdistan Region and Iran each year amount to tens of billions of dollars.

On October 25, Iran reopened the first border crossing of Bashmakh with the Kurdistan Region. The decision came on the same day as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) offered to freeze the results of the Sep. 25 vote as a step toward resolving its disputes with Baghdad through dialogue rather than military means.

Despite having good economic relations with Iran, KRG officials have often accused Tehran of interfering in the internal affairs of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Editing by Nadia Riva