Ankara: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed on Wednesday that Turkiye is prepared to mediate between Iran and the Israeli occupation, emphasizing the country's readiness for any potential "negative scenario" arising from the current regional escalation.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Erdogan made these remarks during a speech at the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting in Ankara. He stated, "We are closely following Israel's terrorist attacks against Iran. All our institutions are on alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkiye." He underscored the importance of achieving peace and stability in the region, asserting Turkiye's commitment to preventing a broader disaster resulting from the Israeli occupation and reaffirming continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.
Erdogan condemned the Israeli occupation's expanding military operations across Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran, describing Iran's right to defend itself against Israel's actions as "natural, legitimate and lawful." He warned that Israel's possession of nuclear weapons, without adhering to global regulations, poses a significant threat.
Erdogan also criticized the international community's silence in response to the Israeli occupation's actions, suggesting that such silence could be interpreted as approval. Furthermore, he highlighted Turkiye's advancements in building a comprehensive national defense infrastructure, including domestic air defense systems, and reiterated Ankara's determination to achieve full independence in its defense industry.