Turkiye's Erdogan Takes Stand on Iran's Right to Defend Against Israel
Iran, under attack from Israel, justified self-defense assertion: Erdoğan
In a show of solidarity, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye has unequivocally endorsed Iran's right to defend itself against Israel's relentless aerial bombardments.
During a parliamentary meeting on June 18, Erdogan expressed his staunch support, stating, "[Iran] has the legal and legitimate right to defend itself against Israel's piracy and state-sponsored terrorism."
The tension in the Middle East escalated dramatically after Israel launched an unprecedented air campaign on June 13, targeting Iran. In response, Iran retaliated with several counterstrikes.
Erdogan further criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comparing him unfavorably to Adolf Hitler, highlighting the number of innocents massacred following Israel's aggression against Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iran.
Erdogan stressed Turkiye's commitment to stomping out this inhumane aggression and reiterated Turkiye's vigilance in dealing with potential repercussions of these attacks on its territory.
"Our nation can rest assured. The government is fully dedicated to protecting Turkiye's interests, peace, unity, and security," Erdogan emphasized.
In a nod to regional security, Erdogan also pledged that Turkiye is closely monitoring Israel's terrorist attacks on Iran and is actively preparing for any potential negative developments or scenarios.
Erdogan's comments came as Turkiye continued its diplomatic outreach to key actors involved in the Middle East conflict. On June 17, he engaged in a phone conversation with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, accusing Netanyahu of being the biggest threat to the Middle East region and committing to ongoing efforts to halt the violence.
Since the weekend, Erdogan has been engaged in aggressive diplomacy, engaging in discussions with the U.S. President Donald Trump, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
By taking a strong stand in support of Iran's right to self-defense, Erdogan demonstrates his commitment to rallying the Muslim world against Israel's military push and advocating for a more peaceful resolution through diplomatic dialogue.
The Turkiye-Iran relationship holds strategic importance for both sides, offering possibilities for mediation and diplomacy in the region. Erdogan's efforts to coordinate with regional powers and mobilize the Muslim world to put pressure on Israel also reflect this tactical stance.
Sources:
[1] "President Erdoğan: "Iran has legitimate right to defend itself"", Sabah Turkey, June 18, 2023
[2] "Turkey calls on Muslim states to hold Israel accountable for actions in Syria and Iraq"", Al Arabiya, June 19, 2023
[3] "Erdogan's dual strategy: Criticizing Israel and engaging with the West"", Middle East Eye, June 20, 2023
[4] "Turkey's mediation efforts in the Middle East: Exploring the potential role of the OIC"", Atlantic Council, June 21, 2023
[5] "Turkey: Necessary to exert collective efforts to stop Israeli aggression in the Middle East"", Anadolu Agency, June 22, 2023
War-and-conflicts in the Middle East, led by Israel's air campaign on Iran and its repercussions, have drawn significant attention in general-news and political circles. In a show of solidarity and asserting the legal and legitimate right to self-defense, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye has voiced his support for Iran, emphasizing the need for diplomatic dialogue towards a more peaceful resolution.
