New migration risk for Turkey in Israel-Iran war! 3 million people projected...

The clashes that began between Israel and Iran have reached their 10th day. The fighting has caused thousands of civilians to leave their homes. In just the first two days, it was reported that approximately 100,000 people from Tehran and its surroundings took refuge on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The collapse of energy resources in Iran and the growing fear of regime oppression among the public are accelerating migration movements toward the borders. According to data from The Economist, the number of Iranians currently living abroad has reached 8 million. However, according to Western experts speaking to Reuters, if the effects of the war spread, this figure is projected to rise to as high as 23.4 million.

EYES TURNED TO TURKEY

While European countries are tightening visa requirements for Iranian citizens, Turkey stands out as the most accessible route for Iranians. It is stated that there has been a 68 percent increase in irregular Iranian migration in villages along the Van and Iğdır border line since 2020. Migration experts emphasize that if the war spreads, it is a "high probability" that 1.5 to 3 million Iranians will take refuge in Turkey. It is estimated that a large-scale migration wave originating from Iran could increase the global refugee population by 76 percent.

IS A NEW CRISIS LOOMING FOR TURKEY?

Turkey is currently the country hosting the most refugees in the world, with 3.3 million Syrians, 500,000 Afghans, and 200,000 African migrants. Unofficial figures reveal that this number is even higher. Experts point out that a possible new wave of migration from Iran could create a “critical threshold” for Turkey in terms of both security and the economy. In diplomatic circles regarding the issue, it is being discussed that the European Union could establish a new refugee support fund against migration pressure.

STREETS OF TEHRAN FILLED WITH PROTESTS

In Iran's capital, Tehran, thousands of people took to the squares to react against the attacks Israel carried out on Iranian territory and against the US. The protesters carried Iranian flags and chanted slogans against Israel and America.

ERDOĞAN: WHAT ISRAEL IS DOING IS THUGGERY

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers meeting held in Istanbul yesterday. Addressing the Israel-Iran war in his speech, Erdoğan said, “The definition of the attacks Israel has carried out on Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and finally Iran is thuggery. The measures Iran has taken are quite natural and legal.”

Erdoğan, who also held a private meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the meeting, drew attention to the timing of the attacks. Stating that he finds it “significant” that such actions are taking place at a time when negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing, Erdoğan continued with these words: “Just as the spark Hitler struck set the whole world on fire, today Netanyahu’s Zionist ambitions are dragging the world into catastrophe.”

News Source: 12punto