Iranians in Kurdish areas are crossing into northern Iraq to escape the pressures of war, buy cheaper food, and reach the internet to contact family. On Sunday the Haji Omeran crossing reopened after a brief closure. People say airstrikes and inflation have made life desperate on the Iranian side. Many come to buy Iraqi SIM cards because internet outages cut off calls for weeks. Shoppers grab basics like rice, oil, and tomatoes at far lower prices. Others cross to find work or seek help from relatives. Several say strikes hit security sites, and officers avoid bases and hide in civilian places.
