Even in times of widespread civil unrest, the border here has not been closed.
There is a sharp contrast between the scenes of violence in Iran and the strange calm at the Kapikoy crossing, tucked between snowy hills on the border with Turkey.
Dozens of Iranians used the crossing point on Friday, some seeking access to the internet in Turkey during a communications blackout in Iran that has cut it off from the world for more than a week.
Many were not willing to speak, and none wanted to be identified, amid a crackdown in Iran on protesters who flooded the streets over the past two weeks in the country’s widest civil unrest in more than 15 years.
There has been no mass movement of people leaving Iran for Turkey despite weeks of unrest. Taxi and minibus drivers ferried people, wrapped up in thick coats in the minus 3°C temperature, to and from the border crossing point.
But some travellers were willing to tell of their anger and frustration with the violent government response to the protests in Iran, even as they returned home.
Continue Reading on The National UAE
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.