Iranians Flee to Iraq for Relief

0:00I'm Corey, and this is your Pulse of the World, global news today. Dozens of Iranians rushed across the Haji Omaran border into Iraq's Kurdish region on Sunday, March 15, 2026, the first day it reopened after closing due to war. They came for cheaper groceries, faster internet access, family calls, and job opportunities amid skyrocketing costs and constant air strikes back, home. For the conflict escalated with strikes from the United States and Israel, these crossings were routine thanks to strong family and economic links between Iranian and Iraqi Kurds. The closure hit everyone hard, from truck drivers to everyday folks, but now trucks loaded with goods are flowing in, offering some relief from Iran's shortages. Travelers shared stories of desperation, with many staying anonymous out of fear from Iranian intelligence. A woman trekked nine miles to grab rice, cooking oil, and a local SIM card for calls abroad since internet blackouts plague Iran.

1:02She returned quickly with bags for her hungry kids, two months behind on rent, after losing her smuggler son. Workers from several Iranian cities piled into taxis, heading back to construction jobs in Iraq, for a month to earn money they can't make at home. One painter calmed his mom after bombings near their city, while a factory worker brought his wife and three kids to safety, tired of the endless explosions. Authorities on the Iranian side are in disarray too, with bases destroyed and officers hiding in schools, hospitals, or cars instead of offices. For now, the open border acts as a vital escape valve, letting civilians reach basics and outside world despite the ongoing chaos. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor, see the description. Here you can hear, sound you can relax into, S-O-L-I, soleypillo.com