Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday voiced strong support for Iran, saying it had a "legitimate" right to defend itself against Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign, now entering its sixth day.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel’s thuggery and state terrorism,” Erdogan stated, one day after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
The conflict escalated early Friday when Israel launched a widespread bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iran retaliated with waves of missiles and drones, including hypersonic weapons.
“These attacks were organized while the Iranian nuclear negotiations were ongoing,” Erdogan said. He accused Israel of bypassing international norms and committing a “terrorist act” without waiting for diplomatic outcomes.
Iran reports at least 224 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes, while Israeli officials say Iran’s retaliatory fire has killed 24 and injured hundreds more.
Erdogan also warned of potential repercussions for Turkiye, stating that all national institutions are on high alert and preparations are being made for “every kind of scenario.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded sharply, criticizing Erdogan’s comments as hypocritical given Turkiye’s military presence in Syria and northern Cyprus.
On Monday, Erdogan announced a ramp-up in domestic missile production to bolster Turkiye’s deterrence capability amid the intensifying conflict.
“It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel’s thuggery and state terrorism,” Erdogan stated, one day after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”
The conflict escalated early Friday when Israel launched a widespread bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iran retaliated with waves of missiles and drones, including hypersonic weapons.
“These attacks were organized while the Iranian nuclear negotiations were ongoing,” Erdogan said. He accused Israel of bypassing international norms and committing a “terrorist act” without waiting for diplomatic outcomes.
Iran reports at least 224 fatalities from Israeli airstrikes, while Israeli officials say Iran’s retaliatory fire has killed 24 and injured hundreds more.
Erdogan also warned of potential repercussions for Turkiye, stating that all national institutions are on high alert and preparations are being made for “every kind of scenario.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded sharply, criticizing Erdogan’s comments as hypocritical given Turkiye’s military presence in Syria and northern Cyprus.
On Monday, Erdogan announced a ramp-up in domestic missile production to bolster Turkiye’s deterrence capability amid the intensifying conflict.
