Turkey is planning to establish a buffer zone on the Iranian side of the border if a worst-case scenario unfolds and the government in Tehran collapses, Middle East Eye understands.

"Top Turkish foreign ministry officials on Thursday briefed lawmakers in a closed-door meeting at parliament, telling them that Ankara is preparing for several potential scenarios regarding Iran, according to two participants who spoke to MEE. One participant in the briefing said Turkish officials used the term "buffer zone" to describe Ankara`s intention to do everything possible to prevent another wave of refugees entering the country.

However, a second participant said the officials did not explicitly use the phrase "buffer zone", though they expressed a willingness to go beyond the usual measures. "Essentially, they said they believe everything possible should be done on the Iranian side to ensure that those who might come in the event of a migration remain there,” the second source said.

The Turkish defence ministry earlier this month said that Ankara has strengthened security along its 560km border with Iran through a technologically enhanced physical barrier system. The measures include 203 electro‑optical towers and 43 elevator‑equipped towers, a 380km modular concrete wall, and 553km of defensive ditches. The ministry added that the border areas are monitored around the clock by reconnaissance and surveillance systems, including drones and aircraft.

A Turkish media report said that during the same briefing, Turkish officials also told lawmakers that around 4,000 Iranians had been killed and 20,000 wounded during the bloody protests against the government earlier this month. Triggered by rapid inflation and the sharp depreciation of Iran`s currency, the protests quickly spread throughout the country. Although there were incidents of violence by some protesters, several investigations and pieces of footage indicate that Tehran used disproportionate force to suppress the demonstrations. It has also imposed an internet blackout", - reads the article of the Middle East Eye.