Turkey has drawn up contingency plans to contain a potential exodus from Iran before it reaches the Turkish frontier, as fighting linked to the United States and Israel fuels fears of a wider regional spillover, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said on Wednesday.
Çiftçi said the Interior Ministry has prepared three scenarios, with the first plan aiming to manage any potential movement on the Iranian side of the border before it reaches Turkey. He did not describe any Turkish military operation inside Iran but said authorities were preparing measures to prevent an uncontrolled influx.
If the movement cannot be stopped, the second plan would focus on controlling it at the frontier through buffer zones along the border, he said. A third plan would allow entry into Turkey under controlled conditions as a last resort.
Çiftçi said there was no unusual activity at border crossings and that recent entries and exits were in line with normal levels.
He said Turkey has prepared initial capacity to host up to 90,000 people in the first stage of a sudden inflow, including tent camps and temporary accommodation sites.
Turkey has long been a main destination for people fleeing conflict in the region and hosts millions of refugees, including Syrians under temporary protection, according to the United Nations refugee agency.