A land crossing at Kapikoy in eastern Turkey has become one of the few remaining routes out of Iran after airspace closures followed strikes by the United States and Israel on Tehran, sparking war in the Middle East. Despite the open gate, there has been no mass exodus. Most travelers crossing into Turkey had preplanned trips, dual citizenship, or work and family ties abroad, and only a small number said they intended to leave Iran indefinitely.

Many Iranians cited financial hardship and uncertainty as reasons for staying home. Some crossing the border described short-term plans to wait out the conflict or continue onward to other countries, while others said their lives remain rooted in Iran. Traffic has remained manageable, with arrivals and departures closely balanced in recent days.

Turkish authorities say contingency plans are in place in case of a larger influx, including temporary shelters and reinforced border measures. For now, however, the feared surge has not materialized, and the border region remains relatively calm even as the conflict continues.