Iran-Israel war could have 鈥榟armful鈥� migration impact on Europe, Erdogan warns

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan greeting supporters during the ceremony of the 250 thousand's post-quake houses in Kahramanmaras. (Handout by Turkish Presidency Press Office)
Short Url

ISTANBUL: The Iran-Israel air war could spark a surge in migration that could harm Europe and the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Friday.
Israel, saying Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon, launched a massive wave of strikes a week ago, triggering an immediate retaliation.
鈥淭he spiral of violence triggered by Israel鈥檚 attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage,鈥� his office quoted him as saying in a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Erdogan said the solution to the nuclear disagreements with Iran was 鈥渢hrough negotiations.鈥� He said the violence had 鈥渞aised the threat to regional security to the highest level鈥� and Turkiye was 鈥渕aking efforts to end the conflict.鈥�
Despite the escalating confrontation, a Turkish defense ministry source said Thursday there had been 鈥渘o increase鈥� in numbers crossing from Iran.
The Turkish authorities have not released any figures.
AFP correspondents at the main Kapikoy border crossing near the eastern Turkish city of Van reported seeing several hundred people crossing in both directions, with a customs official saying the numbers were 鈥渘othing unusual.鈥�
During a visit to the frontier on Wednesday, Defense Minister Yasar Guler said 鈥渟ecurity measures at our borders have been increased.鈥�