Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran

China

Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran

2026-01-13 22:29 Last Updated At：23:07

Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.

Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.

At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.

"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.

With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.

"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.

"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.

With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.

"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.

Iranians in China hope for quick resolution to unrest, urge against foreign interference

Iranians living and working in China are closely watching the situation back home, as tensions in Iran have been escalating amid two weeks of nationwide unrest.

A wave of protests has recently swept through Iran, with some turning into deadly clashes. About 2,000, including security personnel, have been killed in the protests in Iran, an official told media on Tuesday.

The unrest has fueled claims by Iranian authorities that the United States and Israel may be behind the scenes.

In Beijing, Iranians have voiced their concern for their families and called for stability without external interference.

"Through our consulates, we can now call the people in Iran. Currently, people are going to work and attending classes as usual; it is not [as severe as] what the internet shows. While some foreign airlines have canceled flights to Iran, Iranian airlines are still flying to China, and we are in contact with people coming from Iran. Some exhibitions in Iran have been delayed, but overall, logistics have not been significantly impacted. I hope other nations refrain from interfering in our internal affairs, so we can resolve our own issues in the shortest possible time," said Hossein Khalifi, a representative from the Iran-China Friendship Association.

"Actually, from last Wednesday, I cannot contact anymore with my family and my friends in Iran, because they don't have internet. And so international call is canceling in Iran. So I cannot contact; they also didn't contact anymore with me. Of course, everybody is worried about this situation. No one is happy. We don't have the rates, sending the carpets and the craft or other things, because customs doesn't work well now. Many foreign flights were canceled. This is a problem for business. Our situation is much, much more complicated. But I think if the U.S. (claims it) wants to help my country or Israel wants to help my country or France or European countries want to help our country, I don't believe that. Every people should try to make their country by themselves," said Arastou Pourheydar Boroujen, general manager of the Iran Cultural and Art Center in Beijing.