Iran's Embassy in Ankara Issues Travel Warning for Turkey

On Thursday, June 20, the Iranian Embassy in Ankara issued a statement warning all Iranian citizens and travelers in Turkey about their presence in "crowded places and gatherings in this country." According to IRNA, the embassy specified in this statement: "All compatriots residing and travelers heading to Turkish cities are requested to avoid being present in crowded places and gatherings by adhering to the regulations and security warnings of the host country’s authorities." The statement added that the consular sections of the Islamic Republic of Iran's embassy in Ankara, Istanbul, Erzurum, and Trabzon are ready to provide necessary services and assistance to Iranian citizens during business hours and in emergencies. This statement was released following an explosion in the city of Midyat in southeastern Turkey the day before, which killed at least six people and injured 30 others. Reports indicate that the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for this attack. The PKK stated in a statement that it targeted a police station in Midyat, located in the Mardin province, in this "suicide attack." Meanwhile, Istanbul, a tourist city, also witnessed another explosion on Tuesday that resulted in at least 11 deaths and dozens of injuries. Several cities in Turkey, including the tourist city of Istanbul, have experienced multiple deadly "terrorist" explosions, particularly in the past year. According to Reuters, the tourism industry in Turkey saw its most significant decline in 17 years in April. In this context, "the death of two police officers" occurred following a car explosion in Turkey, and a bomb explosion in central Istanbul left 11 dead.