Turkey Considers Buffer Zone Near Iran Border Amid Fears of Government Collapse in Tehran

Turkey is considering plans to establish a buffer zone along its border with Iran in a worst-case scenario where the government in Tehran collapses, Middle East Eye reported.

Senior officials from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry briefed lawmakers during a closed-door session in parliament on Thursday, outlining Ankara’s preparations for multiple possible scenarios related to the situation in Iran, according to two people familiar with the meeting.

One participant said Turkish officials explicitly referred to a “buffer zone,” explaining that Ankara wants to take all necessary measures to prevent a new wave of refugees from crossing into Turkey.

Another participant, however, said officials did not directly use the term “buffer zone” but indicated readiness to take steps beyond conventional measures if required.

“The essence of what they said was that, in the event of potential migration, everything should be done to ensure that people remain on the Iranian side of the border,” the second source said.

Earlier this month, Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced that Ankara had reinforced advanced, technology-based security measures along its 560-kilometer border with Iran.

These measures include 203 electro-optical surveillance towers, 43 lift-equipped towers, 380 kilometers of modular concrete walls, and 553 kilometers of protective trenches.

The ministry added that the border region is under continuous surveillance using drones, aircraft, and other monitoring systems.

According to a report by a Turkish media outlet, officials also told lawmakers during the briefing that nearly 4,000 Iranians have been killed and around 20,000 injured in violent protests against the government so far this month.

The protests, triggered by rapid inflation and the sharp devaluation of Iran’s currency, quickly spread across the country.

While some protesters engaged in violence, multiple investigations and video footage suggest that Tehran used excessive force to suppress demonstrations. Authorities have also imposed a nationwide internet shutdown.