Turkey’s Erdogan Warns Israeli-Iran War Could Trigger Migration Wave and Nuclear Risk
Erdogan warns Israel-Iran war may trigger migrant wave, nuclear risks. Urges diplomacy as Turkey tightens borders, though no surge in crossings yet reported.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday warned that Israel’s military strikes on Iran may unleash a new wave of migration that could impact both Europe and the broader region, in addition to raising fears of nuclear fallout.
In a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Erdogan stated that “the spiral of violence triggered by Israeli attacks may harm the region and Europe in terms of migration, with the potential for nuclear leakage,” according to a statement released by the Turkish presidency.
Erdogan emphasized that the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program must be resolved through negotiations rather than continued military escalation. He added that “violence has raised the threat to regional security to its highest level,” and noted that “Turkey is making efforts to bring the conflict to an end.”
No Surge in Border Crossings, Officials Say
Despite Ankara’s warnings, a Turkish Defense Ministry official said Thursday that no increase had been recorded in the number of people crossing from Iran into Turkey. Turkish authorities have not released any official statistics on the matter.
Reporters from Agence France-Presse stationed at the Kapikoy border crossing near the eastern Turkish city of Van observed several hundred people moving in both directions. A customs official at the site remarked that the numbers “are not abnormal.”
Turkey Tightens Border Security
During a visit to the eastern border on Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler confirmed that security measures along the frontier have been tightened in response to the ongoing conflict.
