Since the outbreak of Israeli-U.S. air strikes on February 28, Iranian drivers face new hardships as trucks crossing into Iraq encounter long detours and closed borders. Truck driver Reza, from Piranshahr in northwestern Iran, said he now drives more than 300 kilometers to reach Iraqi crossings. Normally, he reaches Haji Omeran in 20 minutes, but the route has remained shut since the conflict began.
“I waited five nights, it never opened,” Reza told AFP from the Bashmarq crossing further south, which also connects to Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. Like other drivers, he requested anonymity for safety. The roads were unusually quiet, and only 20 trucks waited in the parking area compared to hundreds in normal times.
Reza said services like water, gas, electricity, and phones still function, but phone lines operate only locally. Meanwhile, Iran’s ongoing economic crisis has worsened, with imports nearly halted. Trucks that normally head to Tehran or Bandar Abbas ports remain stationary, limiting food and goods distribution.
“Prices have gone down, except for chicken,” said Akbar Jafari, 37, from Kermanshah. Unlike Reza, Jafari sent his wife and seven-year-old son to the countryside when the strikes began. He noted the city center remains dangerous, and life has slowed as schools remain closed until after Nowruz, the Persian New Year.
The Basij paramilitary force abandoned checkpoints set up after the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. In the evenings, soldiers leave posts for fear of bombing, further reducing urban security. Citizens now navigate a quieter, more anxious daily life as jets fly constantly overhead.
Reza and Jafari have decided against celebrating Nowruz, following 40 days of mourning declared after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death. Reza said the death changes nothing in his life. “What we want is someone who truly serves the people,” he said.
Despite the fear, drivers like Zaheed, 37, have grown accustomed to the sound of overhead jets. His town of Mariwan, 30 kilometers from Bashmarq, experienced bombings, leaving four civilians dead. Still, residents slowly returned, even as families remain cautious.
For Reza, the war has reshaped daily life, from longer journeys to abandoned streets. As he climbed back into his cab, he said, “We used to live well in our town, before.” Yet he continues to drive, keeping essential trade moving despite the dangers. The story reflects how trucks crossing into Iraq are central to survival amid regional instability.
The closure of major crossings emphasizes the urgent need for solutions to maintain trade and safeguard civilians. Reza and other drivers face the daily reality that trucks crossing into Iraq now confront both war and logistical obstacles, illustrating the conflict’s ripple effect on ordinary lives.
Ultimately, the situation shows that despite fear and disruption, life must continue. Truckers keep moving, trade continues, and communities adapt. Yet the dangers remain constant, highlighting why trucks crossing into Iraq remain critical for Iran’s supply chain and regional stability.
