Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan Saturday warned of rising risks in Iran following U.S. and Israeli strikes and urged Turkish citizens to exercise caution while in the country.
Fidan called on citizens to avoid travel to Iran unless absolutely necessary and advised those already in the country to stay in secure areas, avoid military sites and crowded places, and limit outdoor movements, citing “sensitive” security conditions. Emergency contacts for Turkish embassies and consulates in Tehran, Tabriz, Urmia, and Mashhad were also provided.
The advisory comes after U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran, which triggered explosions in Tehran and heightened regional tensions. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that citizens could exit Iran safely via the Esendere, Kapıköy, and Gürbulak border crossings.
Regional analysts warn that the strikes could destabilize the Middle East, with Iran’s neighbors—including Gulf states, Turkey, and Pakistan—on alert due to the country’s missile capabilities, which could target critical infrastructure in retaliation.
The military action also risks disrupting global oil markets, as Iran remains a major crude producer and controls the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s liquid oil passes.
Fidan has previously engaged with regional counterparts to mediate conflicts, including tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, reflecting Ankara’s ongoing role in regional diplomacy.