Pakistan suspended trade through the Taftan–Mirjaveh and Gabd–Rimdan crossings from October 17, and Iraq closed the Al-Sheeb–Chazabeh crossing four days later, raising concerns that Washington's campaign to isolate Iran economically is extending to overland trade. Pakistan gave no clear reason at first, and officials later cited security, smuggling and border management, while around 2,000 trucks were stranded on both sides and LPG, rice and fresh produce shipments were disrupted. The analysis argues that US financial pressure and Pakistan's defense commitments to Saudi Arabia may help explain the move, though there is no public evidence that Washington or Riyadh directed it. On October 20, Field Marshal Asim Munir reportedly told Iranian officials the closures were temporary, caused by technical problems, and that the crossings had reopened. Independent confirmation that normal truck traffic had resumed was not yet available.
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