Turkey Plans "Buffer Zone" Inside Iran Amid U.S. Strike Fears

Turkish - Iranian border (Photo: Shutterstock)

Turkey has significantly updated its military contingency plans in response to the looming threat of a U.S.-led strike on Iran. According to a Bloomberg report published yesterday (Tuesday), Ankara is considering the establishment of a "buffer zone" inside Iranian territory to manage a potential mass influx of refugees before they reach the Turkish border.

Turkish officials are reportedly concerned that a military conflict, which President Donald Trump has indicated is "under consideration" to force nuclear concessions, could trigger a wave of displacement involving not only Iranian citizens but also millions of Afghan and Pakistani nationals currently residing in Iran.

Key Details from the Bloomberg Report**

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The "Buffer Zone" Strategy: If a "power vacuum" occurs in Tehran, Turkish forces may cross the border to set up secure camps. This move is designed to prevent a repeat of the Syrian refugee crisis, which saw nearly 4 million people enter Turkey, straining the nation's economy and social services.
NATO Surveillance Shift: Reflecting the high state of alert, NATO has redirected its E-3A AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft based in Konya, Turkey. Previously focused on Russian movements, these "eye-in-the-sky" missions are now primarily monitoring Iranian airspace.
Economic Defense: With Turkey already grappling with high inflation, the government views a new refugee wave as an existential threat to its economic stability.

Following the report, Turkey’s Directorate of Communications issued a swift denial today, calling claims of a planned "invasion" disinformation. "Turkey consistently upholds the territorial integrity and sovereignty of neighboring countries," the statement read, while emphasizing that "all necessary measures" are being taken to ensure border security.

While Ankara publicly denies an incursion plan, diplomatic sources confirm that behind the scenes, Turkey is in constant contact with both Washington and Tehran to prevent an escalation that would destabilize the 560-kilometer Turkey-Iran frontier.