Shalamcheh border crossing, which connects Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan Province to Basra in Iraq, is open and operating normally, Iranian and Iraqi officials said in reaction to reports claiming that the border crossing was closed following the recent unrest in Basra. IRNA quoted an informed Iranian source and an unnamed Iraqi official on Saturday as saying that any news regarding the closure of Shalamcheh is false. Angry protesters set fire to the Iranian Consulate in Iraq on Friday. Protests have been staged in the past two months against the inefficient public services and job vacancies. However, demonstrations have turned violent lately with protesters setting government buildings and diplomatic missions in Basra on fire.
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