Erdoğan: US-Israeli strikes on Iran threaten peace, risk 'ring of fire'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed Türkiye's "deep sorrow" and concern Saturday over US-Israeli attacks on Iran, which he said "began with provocations by (Israeli Premier) Netanyahu." Speaking at an Istanbul event, Erdoğan stated the strikes "clearly violate Iran's sovereignty and threaten the peace of the friendly and brotherly Iranian people."

Balanced Criticism

While condemning the attacks, Erdoğan also addressed previous Iranian actions: "Regardless of the reason, we consider Iran's missile and drone attacks on our brotherly countries in the Gulf unacceptable." He warned that if common sense does not prevail and diplomacy is not given a chance, "our region faces the risk of being dragged into a ring of fire."

Call for Islamic Action

"To prevent further bloodshed and spare our region from greater suffering, all actors—especially the Islamic world—must take urgent action," Erdoğan said. He announced Ankara will immediately step up diplomatic efforts—first to secure a ceasefire, then to resume talks at the negotiating table.

Context

The strikes early Saturday followed weeks of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran under Omani mediation, with a Geneva round concluding Thursday. Israel initiated a 12-day war on Iran last June, with the US later joining to bomb three Iranian nuclear sites. The latest escalation threatens to plunge the region into broader conflict.