US exerting pressure on Iran's neighbours to shut down land trade routes: NYT

Washington, Nov 12 (Sputnik/UNI) The United States is seeking to increase economic pressure on Iran and block its last remaining land trade routes, but is facing stiff resistance from the neighbouring countries, The New York Times reported, citing sources. According to the newspaper, US officials have spent weeks unsuccessfully urging Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan to close their border crossings with Iran. The neighbouring countries have refused, fearing economic losses and public unrest caused by a disruption in trade. Turkey has not changed its border policy, while Iraq, which depends on Iranian gas, rejected a US demand to close nearly all…