[US Media: Iran is Losing Land Trade Routes Under US Pressure] Golden Finance reports on October 24th, citing the Wall Street Journal, that Iraq and Pakistan are cutting off some key land routes into and out of Iran. This comes after a US naval blockade and severe sanctions against airlines have already severed most of Iran's sea and air transport routes, further exacerbating the economic pressures facing the country. Iraq closed the Sheeb border crossing on Wednesday, connecting the two countries' largest oil-producing provinces. Baghdad stated that this move was aimed at strengthening law enforcement against smuggling. Over the weekend, Pakistan, citing security concerns, intercepted trucks from Iran at the key border crossings of Gabd and Taftan. These crossings had previously been used as alternative land routes to Iran's largest eastern port. On Friday, a spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry stated that this action was related to the enforcement of sanctions.