Hundreds of Iranians Cross into Türkiye as War Escalates
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Hundreds of Iranian nationals crossed into Türkiye on Monday afternoon as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran intensified. Witnesses at the Kapıköy border gate described growing anxiety in Tehran, reports of bombings, and long queues at petrol stations, though no widespread shortages were reported.
Movement Resumes at Kapıköy Border Gate
According to a Reuters witness, hundreds of Iranians began entering Türkiye via the Kapıköy border crossing in Van province on Monday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, Turkish authorities had announced the mutual suspension of day-trip passenger crossings at the three Turkish-Iranian border gates. Türkiye stated that only its own citizens and third-country nationals would be permitted entry. On Sunday, some Iranian travelers reported being prevented from crossing.
However, by Monday afternoon, Iranian nationals were seen crossing the border against the backdrop of snow-covered hills on the Iranian side.
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“People Are Scared in Tehran”
An Iranian man from Tehran, who declined to give his name but said his wife and children were in Istanbul, described a tense atmosphere in the capital.
“The situation in Tehran is already difficult. There are bombings. Everyone is scared. But ordinary people haven’t been directly affected,” he said.
He noted that shops were crowded during the first days of the conflict as residents rushed to buy household necessities.
Binali Kılıç, an Iranian Azeri from the Qazvin region near the Turkish border, said life there continued largely as normal, though frequent bombings of military sites disrupted daily routines.
“People have withdrawn into their homes. We heard the sounds of explosions in nearby areas,” he said, as travelers wheeled suitcases across the snowy border toward waiting minibuses.
Fuel Shortages a Growing Concern
Those crossing into Türkiye reported no major food shortages so far, but fuel supply has become a growing concern.
“There is no food problem. The only issue is fuel for travel, whether short or long distance. There are queues at petrol stations,” Kılıç said.
Long lines at gas stations have reportedly formed as residents prepare for potential further instability.
Official Statement from Ankara
Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated earlier that Iran was allowing its citizens to re-enter Iran via Türkiye and that commercial cargo transit through all three border gates continued under controlled conditions.
“All our units remain on high alert to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of Türkiye’s border crossing services and trade flows,” Bolat said.
Migration Risk and Regional Tensions
The expanding conflict in the Middle East is raising concerns about potential new migration flows toward Türkiye. Authorities are closely monitoring developments along the border amid heightened regional uncertainty.
With fighting ongoing and geopolitical tensions rising, further cross-border movement cannot be ruled out in the coming days.
Source: Reuters, Turkish press
