Iran has decided to close its land borders with Iraq, which is witnessing violence that has resulted in the death of 23 people so far, while Kuwait urged its citizens in Iraq to leave after the unrest erupted yesterday, Monday.

The official Iranian television announced that the border closure is due to "unrest and curfew" in Iraqi cities, urging Iranians to avoid traveling to Iraq and appealing to Iranian Shia visitors in Iraq to avoid traveling between cities.

The decision comes as millions of Iranians prepare to travel to Iraq to visit Shia shrines.

In Kuwait, the Kuwaiti government urged its citizens in Iraq to leave the country, according to the Associated Press.

The Kuwaiti News Agency "KUNA" also urged those wishing to travel to Iraq to postpone their plans due to violent clashes in the streets between rival Shia groups in the country.

Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, who announced his retirement from political work yesterday, Monday, removed the concrete barriers outside the government palace with ropes and stormed the palace gates.