United States officials previously assessed that most Iranian air defense systems were destroyed or severely weakened during Israeli bombardments in June 2025

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Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed that Iraqi officials remain engaged in discussions with the United States regarding demands to close Iranian border crossings

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the U.S. Treasury requested that Iraq close all border crossings with Iran except for two, with one exception located in the Kurdistan region, to increase economic pressure on Tehran

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on November 8, 2026, that the United States retains the right to defend its forces and regional shipping against clear Iranian threats

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein disclosed the U.S. border closure request during an interview with Al Jazeera broadcast on November 8, 2026

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi canceled contracts at Mosul airport associated with armed groups as part of ongoing efforts to disarm Iranian-backed factions in Iraq

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the U.S. demand to shut Iran-Iraq border crossings forms part of Washington's broader policy of escalating economic pressure against Tehran

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that Iraq's financial losses resulting from the war with Iran and associated oil export disruptions reached $60 billion

Iran has launched over 1,000 drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq since February 2026, prompting regional leadership to request drone defense systems from Baghdad

Tehran has launched military attacks against Iranian Kurdish opposition groups in northern Iraq

In October 2026, Iraq closed its Sheeb border crossing with Iran to conduct security reviews and install detection equipment designed to curb smuggling

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on November 8, 2026, that diplomatic negotiations with Iran have made no progress due to unacceptable Iranian demands

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated in an Al Jazeera interview that shutting all border crossings with Iran would be difficult and damaging to Iraq's economy

The United States has long pressured Iraq to disarm Iran-backed groups

A pro-Iran Telegram channel claimed a drone was used in the November 8, 2026 attack on the Khor Mor gas field, though no official claim of responsibility was made

Abu Mujahid al-Assaf of the Iranian-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah made comments on November 8, 2026, referencing Khor Mor and accusing Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi of incitement to target the facility

Yemen Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba appealed to Lebanese authorities to stop Hezbollah from providing military support to Houthi forces

Houthi forces allowed an Iranian aircraft to land in Sanaa in defiance of Saudi airspace controls, triggering the breakdown of the 2022 truce

Task Force Iron Gate will focus on restricting dual-use materials and illegal revenue streams alongside Task Force Iron Gate's enforcement against Iranian movement of advanced weapons systems

Admiral Brad Cooper stated that interagency collaboration under Task Force Iron Gate aims to further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish its military

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson General Hossein Mohebbi announced that Iran has lifted its self-imposed 2,000-kilometer limit on ballistic missile ranges