At the Türkiye-Iran border, an Iranian man living in Germany for the past 12 years interrupted a CMG reporter to explain why he was rushing home. Akbar said he was making the trip after seeing news that his hometown of Isfahan had been bombed. "I am willing to give my life for my motherland," he said, sending a message to the world that "Iranians will always steadfastly protect their country."

He is not alone. At the Kapikoy border crossing, several young Iranians working in Türkiye said they are also heading back home, echoing Akbar's determination: "We will fight to the end to defend Iran."