Iraq-Iran border crossing reopens after strike on Iranian side kills 2

BAGHDAD, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Operations at the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iraq and Iran resumed Thursday after a three-hour suspension requested by Iran following a bombardment on the Iranian side of the crossing, the Iraqi Border Ports Commission said.

According to a statement by the commission, the crossing, located in Iraq's southern Basra province, was briefly closed from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time Thursday (2300 GMT Wednesday to 0200 GMT Thursday) to allow Iranian authorities to reorganize operations after the bombardment.

The commission said all border operations are currently running smoothly around the clock to facilitate the entry of visitors.

The Shalamcheh border crossing serves as a primary land crossing between Iraq and Iran, handling heavy passenger traffic.

Earlier in the day, Iran's Mehr news agency reported that a missile struck near the passenger terminal on the Iranian side of the crossing, killing two people. Mehr attributed the attack to the United States.

The incident came amid heightened regional tensions as the United States and Iran exchanged strikes in recent days. The United States has carried out attacks on Iranian targets, while Iran has responded by targeting U.S. bases and facilities across the region. Enditem