Turkey is reportedly reviewing contingency measures along its border in case the United States launches a military strike against neighboring Iran, a senior Turkish official said on Monday.
“If the United States attacks Iran and the regime falls, Turkey is planning additional measures to reinforce border security,” the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The warning comes amid escalating tensions in the region following Iran’s crackdown on protests earlier this month, which rights groups say has left thousands dead. Washington has not ruled out a military response to Tehran’s actions.
A U.S. naval task force, led by an aircraft carrier, recently entered Middle Eastern waters, according to the U.S. Central Command on Jan. 26. The statement did not disclose the task force’s exact location but underscored the readiness of U.S. forces in the region.
Turkey, a NATO member that shares a 530-kilometer border with Iran, has historically voiced opposition to foreign military operations targeting its neighbor. Ankara has emphasized diplomacy and regional stability, wary of the humanitarian and security fallout of potential military action.
A significant portion of the Turkey-Iran border is already fortified with a 380-kilometer-long wall. However, the official acknowledged that existing measures are “insufficient” to address large-scale contingencies, highlighting Ankara’s concern over potential refugee flows and cross-border security risks.
At this stage, Turkish authorities are careful to avoid language that suggests establishing a “buffer zone” along the frontier, signaling a cautious approach that balances defense readiness with diplomatic sensitivities.
Analysts say Turkey’s considerations reflect broader regional anxiety over any sudden power vacuum in Tehran, which could destabilize neighboring countries and trigger a spike in cross-border trafficking, refugee movements, and militant activity.
Turkey’s response, including potential border reinforcements, will likely be closely monitored by both Washington and Tehran, as the geopolitical stakes in the Middle East continue to rise.
