Iranians cross into southern Iraq for cheaper groceries, internet

Iranians crossed into southern Iraq via the Shalamcha border on Sunday, hours after an airstrike hit the Iranian side, cutting power and halting trade for several hours, said Haider Abdul Samad, the crossing's deputy director.

The strike, not the first since the war began, occurred around 3 am, he said, without providing any details on casualties or the strike.

Electricity was restored and trade resumed by mid-morning, but Abdul Samad said such disruptions have become routine amid the ongoing war. Cross-border movement has significantly declined, though dozens of Iranians continue to enter Iraq seeking cheaper goods, internet access and brief family visits before returning to nearby cities such as Abadan and Ahvaz. Many described the US-Israel strikes and frightening but said they would not leave.

“There is no reassurance. We don't know when our homes could be targeted,” said Razzak Saghir Al-Mousawi, 71, who entered Iraq from Iran on Sunday. “I am definitely afraid,” he added.