Passenger crossings have been suspended at customs checkpoints on the Turkey-Iran border.
Modern.az reports, citing "Anadolu Agency", that Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated there is no extraordinary situation at the Ağrı-Gürbulak, Van-Kapıköy, and Hakkari-Esendere customs checkpoints located on the Turkey-Iran border.
The Minister noted that the transportation of commercial cargo with the Iranian side continues under control at all three checkpoints, but passenger crossings have been temporarily suspended based on mutual agreement.
Bolat, issuing a written statement in Ankara, provided information regarding the current situation at the customs checkpoints on the Turkey-Iran border.
He stated that in light of recent events in the region, whose effects are felt globally, Turkey's situation at the border with Iran has been comprehensively evaluated, and processes are being actively monitored by customs authorities.
“There is no extraordinary situation at the Ağrı-Gürbulak, Van-Kapıköy, and Hakkari-Esendere customs checkpoints located on the Turkey-Iran border. The movement of commercial cargo between all three of our checkpoints and the Iranian side continues under control. Furthermore, passenger crossings have been mutually suspended at all three customs checkpoints. Iran allows its citizens to enter its country via Turkey. As Turkey, we also allow our citizens and third-country citizens to enter our country from Iran. Movement at the customs checkpoints is maintained in a controlled and uninterrupted manner within the framework of coordination with all relevant institutions and the Iranian side,” the minister said while speaking about the latest situation at the customs checkpoints.
Bolat added that based on evaluations conducted with the Ministry's relevant customs units, additional measures and action plans have been updated should the need arise. He also stated that preparations are ongoing to further strengthen coordination among all state institutions and increase operational capabilities at the border.
According to him, all necessary preparations have been made, additional personnel have been deployed, and the control infrastructure has been strengthened:
“All our units are operating in a state of high readiness to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of Turkey's border crossing services and trade flow. As the Ministry, we will continue to closely monitor the process at customs checkpoints and resolutely implement necessary measures in full coordination with all relevant institutions to ensure safe, orderly, and rapid crossings.”
