Goods and currency smuggling is a widespread issue in Iran, disrupting economic, political, and social planning. While not limited to border regions, these areas are particularly vulnerable due to their unique geographical conditions. This research focuses on the natural factors influencing smuggling in border areas, examining the roles of topography, vegetation, climate, and water resources.

The study aims to determine the extent and mechanisms by which each of these natural factors affects the control of goods and currency smuggling in the country's border regions. This is a fundamental-applied study using descriptive-analytical and quantitative methods. Data were collected through surveys of military and border guard personnel stationed in border regions and analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analysis, and path analysis modeling.

The results indicate that topography, vegetation, and climate have the most significant impact on hindering the operations of military and border guard forces in combating smuggling. The Pearson correlation coefficient (0.620) demonstrates a strong relationship between natural geography and the military geography of anti-smuggling efforts. In regression analysis, the "climate" variable shows the highest impact with a beta coefficient of 0.350, while "water resources" has the lowest impact with a beta coefficient of 0.124. Furthermore, the path analysis model shows that vegetation, topography, and water resources, influenced by climatic conditions, affect the quality of anti-smuggling efforts in the country's border regions, thereby creating challenges for military and border guard forces in controlling, monitoring, and combating smuggling.

In the domain of spatial planning for border areas, it is imperative to adopt a macro-perspective view of geography to effectively identify the potentialities, capabilities, and limitations inherent to these regions. This approach aims to mitigate tensions and challenges arising from unbalanced development, deprivation, and spatial heterogeneity. The research methodology employed in this study is applied in purpose, utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach in terms of method. Specifically, a combination of multi-criteria decision-making techniques, including the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the Shannon entropy coefficient, has been utilized to evaluate the distribution and development of spatial development indicators within the health service sectors of Kurdistan Province. The border cities of this province have been classified according to their levels of these indicators. The central research question of this study is: What is the state of the cities in Kurdistan Province concerning the spatial distribution of health and service indicators? Preliminary findings suggest that the level of access to health services in each of the border cities in Kurdistan Province does not meet the desired standards. The results indicate that, despite its strategic geopolitical significance, Kurdistan Province remains one of the most deprived regions in the country. Furthermore, there exists a notable imbalance and heterogeneity in the distribution and development of facilities and indicators across the border cities of the province. An analysis of 13 indicators pertaining to spatial organization across four border cities reveals that Saqez and Baneh are classified within the semi-privileged (semi-deprived) group, while Marivan and Sarvabad fall within the deprived category. Consequently, the findings underscore that the spatial organization in the border cities of Kurdistan Province is markedly heterogeneous, positioning these cities at a middle to lower level in terms of health service development. It is essential to afford particular attention to this border province to ensure the enduring security and well-being of its citizens.