Iran-Turkey Border Crossings Decline Amid Conflict

The number of Iranians crossing into Turkey has dropped significantly since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict, with authorities in Iran now limiting the movement of their citizens across the border.

Turkey’s Interior Minister, Mustafa Ciftci, disclosed that crossings by Iranian nationals into Turkey have decreased by about a quarter to one-third since the war began.

He explained that while Turkish citizens can still travel freely into Iran, Iranian authorities have imposed restrictions preventing many of their citizens from entering Turkey. However, he did not specify when the measures were introduced.

Initial observations at the Kapikoy border crossing indicated that some Iranians were still able to enter Turkey, though their numbers remained relatively low.

Ciftci also noted a reverse trend, with an increase in the number of Iranians returning from Turkey to Iran, although no specific figures were provided.

The two countries share a 500-kilometre border with three official crossing points, which have remained under close monitoring since the start of the conflict.

On March 2, both governments agreed to suspend day-trip crossings, a move aimed at tightening border control during the crisis.

Despite concerns that the conflict and ongoing air strikes could trigger a large refugee influx, Turkish authorities say there has been no major surge, noting that over 74,000 Iranians currently hold residence permits in Turkey, alongside about 5,000 registered refugees.