ByNews Desk The Cradle
The news comes amid reports that Baghdad has once again played host to a meeting between Iranian and Saudi officials
The Iraqi Border Ports Authority issued a statement saying: “The Jamima border crossing has been reopened after the Saudi side agreed to open its side of the terminal and to prepare all the infrastructure and requirements.”
Thursday’s move follows the reopening of the Arar border crossing in November 2020, which had been closed for 30 years.
Saudi Arabia and Iraq are linked by a border strip of more than 830 kilometers.
The Jamima border crossing has been closed since 1991 following the Second Gulf War. Prior to this, it had been used for trade between the two countries, for the transit of travelers, and for movement of pilgrimage convoys.
This latest thawing of relations between Baghdad and Riyadh comes six years after the two nations resumed diplomatic relations, which were severed after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.
It also comes as Iraq powers up its regional diplomatic outreach, mediating talks between long-time rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, among other initiatives.
On 29 September, local sources in Iraq reported that Baghdad played host to another round of talks between Iranian and Saudi officials.
According to Iraqi media, officials confirmed the talks took place this week, with reports quoting an unnamed official as saying: “An Iranian official met with a Saudi official in Baghdad, following previous meetings between the two countries.”
These talks, which began in April of this year, have reportedly led to “serious progress” regarding Gulf security, according to a statement made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh on 23 September.
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