Quick Read
- Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry urged citizens abroad to check security notices amid the Iran-US conflict.
- Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli confirmed Turkish diplomatic missions remain open and hotlines are active 24/7.
- All flights to the conflict region were canceled, but Türkiye’s three border crossings with Iran remain open.
- President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the escalating tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Türkiye is closely monitoring the safety of its citizens, especially in Gulf countries like the UAE.
ANKARA (Azat TV) – Türkiye has urged its citizens residing or traveling abroad, particularly in the Middle East, to diligently check security notices issued by its diplomatic missions as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated over the weekend. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of following official advisories to ensure the safety of its nationals amidst the volatile regional situation.
Öncü Keçeli, the spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed on Sunday that Turkish diplomatic missions across the region remain operational despite the recent outbreak of hostilities. The conflict began on Saturday with attacks by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, which were met with retaliatory strikes by Iran targeting U.S. bases and Israel. Keçeli stated via a social media post that Ankara is closely monitoring developments to safeguard Turkish citizens abroad.
Türkiye’s Proactive Measures for Citizen Safety
The Ministry spokesperson underscored that security notices are being regularly updated in close coordination with local authorities in the affected areas. Citizens were strongly advised to consult notifications from Turkish embassies and consulates. To further facilitate assistance, emergency hotlines for Turkish missions are active around the clock, providing a vital communication channel for those in need. Contact information for these diplomatic posts is readily available on their respective websites, and the ministry’s consulate call center is also accessible to all citizens.
Regional Impact and Diplomatic Engagement
Turkish diplomatic sources have confirmed that all necessary preparations have been completed to protect Turkish citizens. As a precautionary measure, all flights to the immediate conflict region have been canceled. Despite these flight cancellations, Türkiye’s three border crossings with neighboring Iran remain open. Türkiye, which shares a western border with Iran and maintains close ties, has not yet observed any significant influx of people fleeing Iran into its territory. The country is also particularly vigilant regarding the safety of its citizens in Gulf nations, such as the United Arab Emirates, which is a popular destination for both Turkish expatriates and tourists.
Amid the escalating tensions, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the situation involving Iran and the Gulf. Ankara had previously voiced its alarm publicly over the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, issuing warnings about the potential for broader regional instability. U.S. President Donald Trump had claimed on Sunday that American military strikes had resulted in the sinking of nine Iranian naval vessels and the partial destruction of Iran’s navy headquarters.
Türkiye’s rapid and comprehensive advisory to its citizens highlights the immediate concern among regional powers about the potential for wider destabilization stemming from the direct military confrontation between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The diplomatic outreach and practical measures, such as flight cancellations and active hotlines, reflect a strategic effort to mitigate risks for its substantial diaspora and travelers in a critically important and increasingly volatile Middle East.