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Turkish security forces patrol in front of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, which is popular with tourists
Photo: YASIN AKGUL / AFP
Israeli security authorities warn of specific Iranian attacks on Israeli citizens in Turkey.
This is reported by various Israeli media.
Special caution applies in the metropolis of Istanbul: "Israelis who are now in the city should leave Istanbul," the Ynet news platform quoted officials from Israeli security circles as saying.
People who are unable to do this should lock themselves in hotel rooms and reduce their activities to a minimum.
The number of Israelis in Turkey is therefore estimated at around 2,000 people.
Israel's National Security Council (NSC) tightened its travel warning for Turkey on Monday and announced the highest security level for Istanbul.
Accordingly, Israelis should leave the city immediately.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called on his country's citizens to avoid traveling to Turkey.
Israeli media had previously reported that Turkish and Israeli security forces had jointly tracked down Iranian terrorist cells in Turkey planning attacks on Israelis.
A Turkish security official told Reuters news agency that Turkish forces had arrested several suspects who were probably sent into the country by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
However, Iranian agents are still in Turkey.
"Not everything can be thwarted," said Israeli security circles.
Increasing tensions between Iran and Israel
The warnings come amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
Four members of the Revolutionary Guards died in Iran within a month.
For example, on May 22, Colonel Sajjad Chodai was assassinated in Tehran.
According to a report in the New York Times, Israel is said to be behind the assassination.
According to Iranian state media, Khodai was deployed to the Al-Quds Brigades in Syria and Iraq.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi then announced retaliation, specifically against Israel and the United States.
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