Thousands of people have fled Iran since the start of the recent conflict, with many crossing the border into Turkey. Those making the journey report increasingly strict controls on communication imposed by the Iranian government, a situation that is contributing to the exodus.
The Iranian government cut off internet access at the onset of the war, mirroring a similar action taken in January during protests against the regime. According to reports from those crossing the border, Iranians now rely on a domestically-developed messaging application, similar to WhatsApp, for internal communication. However, access to global social media platforms and the outside world is blocked.
“The government withdrew the internet on the first day of this war, just as it had already happened in January during the protests against the regime. All Iranians have a national application similar to ‘Whatsapp’ that allows them to communicate internally and send messages to each other, but they do not have access to the outside world, they do not have access to global social networks,” a correspondent reported.
Despite the ongoing conflict, reports indicate a lack of widespread anti-government demonstrations within Iran. Instead, many public displays of support are pro-regime and celebrate the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Many of those leaving Iran are heading to Turkey, with others continuing on to European countries and even further afield, such as Canada. The flow of refugees underscores the escalating tensions in the region and the impact of the conflict on the Iranian population.
While most arriving in Turkey do not openly express support for the current regime, a significant number reportedly hope for an Iranian victory in the war. This complex sentiment highlights the divisions within Iranian society and the uncertain future facing the country.
