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. Electricity was restored and trade resumed by mid-morning, but Abdul Samad said such disruptions have become routine amid the ongoing war. Al-Fatlawi crossed into Iraq to buy groceries, including rice, which is now cheaper than in Iran due to soaring costs. Fatima Ghaffari, 39, said she crossed the border mainly to access the internet before returning to her home in Abadan. We don't know when our homes could be targeted," said Razzak Saghir Al-Mousawi, 71, who entered Iraq from Iran on Sunday.

Source: The Telegraph March 29, 2026 16:28 UTC