By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has voiced support for Iran’s right to defend itself in light of ongoing Israeli military operations across the region. Speaking at a parliamentary meeting of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in Ankara, Erdoğan said Iran’s actions in response to Israeli attacks were “natural, legitimate and lawful.”
The statement comes amid a rise in Israeli strikes targeting Iranian positions and allied forces in countries such as Syria and Lebanon.
Erdoğan issued sharp criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, “Netanyahu has long since surpassed Hitler in the crime of genocide,” and expressing hope that “their fates do not align.”
He condemned what he described as Israel’s “state terrorism” and ongoing military operations in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran, calling them “inhumane.”
Addressing the humanitarian impact of the conflict, Erdoğan said: “The blood of innocent civilians, including murdered babies and children, is not only on the hands of those backing Israel but also on those who remain silent.”
He warned of broader regional fallout and said Turkish institutions were prepared for possible consequences affecting Türkiye. “Our entire state apparatus is on high alert. The public can be assured that we are ready for any potential scenario.”
Erdoğan also expressed frustration with the international community’s response, saying that global institutions like the United Nations, as well as individual states, had failed to act.
The president reaffirmed Türkiye’s position as an active player in regional diplomacy, stating that efforts to push for peace and prevent further escalation would continue. “We will intensify our initiatives to bring peace to the region. Our diplomatic channels remain open, and we will pursue every avenue to avoid a catastrophe that could affect the entire region.”
He called on neighboring countries, including Iran, to draw lessons from the crisis and emphasized the need for unity in the face of ongoing violence.
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