Türkiye says all preparations complete for citizen safety amid regional tensions

By Muhammet Tarhan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye has completed all preparations to protect Turkish citizens following recent developments in the region, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

All embassies and consulates are operating at full capacity in the region, and work continues without interruption, the sources said.

The Foreign Ministry’s Consular Call Center, reachable at 00 90 312 292 29 29, is providing 24/7 assistance, answering citizen inquiries, offering guidance, and coordinating quickly during emergencies.

All flights to the region have been canceled, although Türkiye’s three border crossings with Iran remain open, according to the sources.

On Saturday morning, as explosions rocked Tehran and Israel announced "preemptive" strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump also confirmed launching "major combat operations" in Iran.

Tehran accused the US and Israel of military aggression, calling the strikes a violation of its sovereignty and a breach of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.

Stressing the right to self-defense under the UN Charter, Iran said it had prioritized diplomacy to prevent war but “the time has now come to defend the homeland,” and that the armed forces would respond in a “decisive and powerful manner.”

* Writing by Seda Sevencan