17.03.2026 18:00
AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik referred to the ongoing war between the US and Israel and Iran, which has been continuing for 18 days, stating that the world is heading towards a lawless place. Noting that Iran is facing an unlawful attack, Çelik said, "Turkey will stay away from this fire. We are aware of all the traps that have been set."
AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik made evaluations regarding the agenda after the meeting of the party's Central Executive Board (MYK).
Highlights from Çelik's statements are as follows:
"OUR PREPARATIONS ARE ALWAYS FRESH"
"When looking at the state of the world, various assessments are being made regarding Turkey. When evaluations are made about Turkey, the question of how Turkey will behave and act is being asked. Of course, under the leadership of our resolute President's political stance, we have various preparations regarding foreign policy, the economy, social issues, and various scenarios about the course of the world that are always present and fresh. But the essence, as we always say, is that the spirit that makes a nation a nation is its values. The response we will give to the rising threats against us is the late Akif's National Anthem.
WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST ON DAY 18
"There are reports of high-profile assassinations in Iran. Here, a completely different picture emerges. The world is heading towards a lawless place. Iran is facing an unlawful attack. Bombing just because I don't like the regime leads to bad outcomes.
The war must stop. A negotiation table must be established. Bombing a country just because I don't like its regime opens the door to very bad things. The impositions presented by Israel through these assassination methods will bring disasters. As long as the world does not take a clear stance against Israel, it encourages Israel to act more violently. Israel is clearly trying to turn Lebanon into Gaza.
"WE MUST STAY AWAY FROM SECTARIAN DISPUTES"
We must stay away from sectarian disputes. Whoever is bringing these sectarian discussions into our midst, let us know that these are agendas aimed at weakening our immune system, played with by the algorithms of very dangerous externally supported social media. While our neighbor Iran is facing an unjust and unlawful attack, the place to stand is to be resolute about Turkey's national security and to stand firmly against the malicious networks trying to disrupt the order.
Those who resort to political sectarianism are not doing useful work. Not defending the rights of the oppressed just because our sect is different is also political sectarianism. We can never accept these. We cannot see them as legitimate, and we must never allow this fitna to enter our country.
"OUR NATIONAL SECURITY DOES NOT ACCEPT BARGAINING"
We have also spoken about attacks and missile launches directed at various regional countries. We expressed that this is wrong and that neighboring and brotherly countries should not be targeted. This will have very different consequences. The right thing was to act together with brotherly countries that advocate for the peace of the entire region and with all brotherly countries that do not want this war to break out. Therefore, we expressed the wrongness of this, regardless of the justification. Neighboring countries should not have been targeted. Regarding the missiles coming to our country, I would like to say this: The Iranian side claims that they did not launch a missile targeting Turkey. Of course, there are some things we see as well. We can see this from various radar systems. Therefore, let us conclude this entire discussion as follows: If this is an act done by a separate small element on its own or a misguided approach that has lost its way, for now, Turkey is standing here. But at the same time, Turkey is one of the most sensitive countries in the world in terms of national security. Our national security does not accept postponement. It does not accept bargaining. It does not accept any diminishment. Therefore, while we are trying to extinguish the fire today, we are not obliged to turn a blind eye to anyone's wrong policies.
"TURKEY WILL STAY AWAY FROM THIS FIRE"
Of course, we see some approaches, especially in certain Zionist circles, trying to drag Turkey into this fire. Turkey will, of course, stay away from this fire in terms of its main will and fundamental will. Today, Turkey's will to be an island of peace, a peace country, standing by the right, standing by the truth, and conducting proper diplomacy is being protected in the strongest way by our President and all our institutions.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR OUR KURDISH BROTHERS TO TAKE SIDES"
Another issue concerns our Kurdish brothers in Iran. Now we see some evaluations in certain Zionist media that the Kurds in Iran will rise against the Iranian regime and take a stance against it. At the same time, we know from our own sources that Israel is pressuring some elements in the region. We have clear information about this. First of all, as I said, it is out of the question for our Kurdish brothers in Iran to be on the side of a Zionist aggression at such a time. Our brothers there are those who have continued their lives for centuries, preserving their traditions and cultures with dignity. We consider it a very prudent approach for the level-headed Kurdish opinion leaders there to stay away from this.
Today, the common benefit of all segments living in Iran is the protection of Iran's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Besides this, we are aware of the Zionist equation that some want to create to drag Turkey into a certain conflict. As I said, Turkey does not fall for anyone's provocation. It will not be a part of anyone's conflict or proxy war. It is one of the most sensitive countries in the world in terms of protecting its national security, and it is among the countries that will do what is necessary, regardless of the cost.
"WE ARE AWARE OF THE TRAP BEING SET"
God forbid, when there is a problem related to our national security, it is also known that we are unhesitant in fulfilling the requirements. Therefore, we are extremely sensitive about protecting our sovereignty rights. At the same time, I would like to express that we are aware of all the traps being set. We will not allow anyone to draw us into a trap in the name of protecting our sovereignty rights or to open a discussion about our sovereignty rights through traps. Our sovereignty rights and national security are issues we evaluate with our own intrinsic dynamics.
Another issue is the existence of those trying to create a rift between us and Azerbaijan, with whom we are one nation, two states, through various policies. Of course, we are two separate countries, and not every policy of ours needs to be the same. But we have an eternal brotherhood with Azerbaijan. We have named this two states, one nation. We will, of course, discuss the political differences in between.
"WITH THIS TREND, THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY WILL BE ERASED FROM HISTORY"
(Regarding the allegations about Justice Minister Akın Gürlek's property) Mr. Özgür Özel has been saying for days that he will make a statement regarding this issue. However, as you know, he has continuously postponed the date of the statement. This situation has also been criticized by current members of parliament and various members of the Republican People's Party.
Three days later, he says, five days later, he says, a week later, he says. We know what he is targeting our Minister of Justice for. The second point is already mentioned in the statement. It has been stated in the statement made by our Minister that all public officials regularly declare their assets.
I've always said this. There is something here. An original policy cannot be produced in such a rooted party. There is no unique policy. The Republican People's Party is not in control of its own agenda. It operates with a cut, copy, paste agenda. Regarding the assets, our Minister has responded to what has been said before. All of these are claims made by Özgür Özel, without any documents or evidence presented, claims that remain in the air. Now, our Minister has once again stated that he will go to court and that all these statements are lies.
My advice to Özgür Özel is this. There is indeed a record that a politician has in the history of the Republic. No one will break this record. The only politician whose eraser runs out before his pen. This is such a big situation. He makes so many mistakes that he constantly has to use an eraser. My fear is this. Because he clings to such a lie in politics, I mean he is our rival, but out of respect for the citizens who are devoted to the Republican People's Party, we also respect the institutional existence of the Republican People's Party. Because we respect the citizens who are devoted to the Republican People's Party. But especially to those citizens, I say this. Özgür Özel's eraser constantly runs out before his pen. At this rate, he will erase the Republican People's Party from history as well. Because he uses so many erasers. I mean, when he puts forward a claim about a minister or a politician, as our Minister said in his statement, if he has any evidence or documents, he should go to court. How many times has he said the same thing? "