Desperate Iranians Flood Iraq Border for Food and Work

Dozens of Iranians entered northern Iraq on Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking the first day the Haji Omeran border crossing reopened since the onset of war. They sought cheaper groceries, internet access, and employment, driven by the desperation caused by constant airstrikes and soaring food prices in Iran. The border's closure had previously impacted all segments of society.

For Iranians, particularly those in the Kurdish region, this crossing has become an essential lifeline. Deep familial and economic ties between Iranian and Iraqi Kurds facilitated regular trade and visits even before the war. Now, the Iraqi Kurdish region serves as a crucial point of access to the outside world for war-affected Iranians.

Many Iranian Kurds interviewed expressed fear of reprisal from intelligence services, opting to remain anonymous. They reported extensive destruction of Iranian military and security sites, leading to forces sheltering in civilian areas or remaining mobile. This has severely disrupted daily life and security.

The reopening allowed individuals like a Kurdish woman from Piranshahr to access the internet for the first time in weeks to contact worried relatives. High inflation made basic staples like rice and cooking oil prohibitively expensive, compelling her to purchase them in Iraq. Another elderly woman from Sardasht crossed to seek help from relatives, having lost her son to Iranian soldiers 14 months prior and struggling to support her grandchildren.

Iranian workers also crossed into Iraq for employment, aiming to earn enough to manage rising costs back home. They expressed concern that civilians would bear the brunt of the escalating conflict. The dire situation prompted some Iranian Kurds living in Iraq to urge their families to relocate, highlighting the widespread impact of the war on civilian populations and the breakdown of traditional security infrastructure.