09.03.2026 19:02
The first statement from President Erdoğan regarding the missile fired from Iran and shot down in Gaziantep has arrived. Speaking after the cabinet meeting, President Erdoğan warned Iran, saying, "Iran should not engage in calculations that will cast a shadow on a thousand years of neighborly relations. Iran should not insist on being wrong; we will take additional measures."
In his first statement regarding the missile shot down in Gaziantep, President Erdoğan said, "Iran should not engage in calculations that will cast a shadow over a thousand years of neighborly relations. Iran should not insist on being wrong; we will take additional measures."
FIRST STATEMENT BY ERDOĞAN REGARDING THE DOWNED MISSILE
The Cabinet convened under the chairmanship of President Erdoğan. After the meeting, where critical topics including the developments in Iran were discussed, President Erdoğan made statements. The first comment regarding the ballistic ammunition fired from Iran and detected to be heading towards Turkish airspace was made following its downing in Gaziantep. Reminding that a missile fired from Iran was also shot down in Hatay on March 4, Erdoğan warned Iran, "Do not insist on being wrong."
President Erdoğan stated: "The missile, which was fired from Iran on March 4 and was determined to be directed towards our country after passing through the airspace of Iraq and Syria, was neutralized by NATO."
"DESPITE OUR SINCERE WARNINGS, THEY CONTINUE PROVOCATIVE STEPS"
Despite our sincere warnings, extremely wrong and provocative steps that will jeopardize Turkey's friendship are being taken. One should not enter into calculations that will cast a shadow over our thousand-year-old neighborly and brotherly law, which will open deep wounds in the hearts and minds of our nation.
"THERE SHOULD BE NO INSISTENCE ON BEING WRONG"
Turkey's position and stance are clear. The efforts it has made to prevent the fire from spreading further and to avoid bloodshed are evident. I remind once again that there should be no insistence on being wrong and stubbornness in the context of today's incident."
Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:
"We discussed the Iran crisis and possible scenarios in the Cabinet. Despite those who pour gasoline on the fire, we are carrying water to the fire and sincerely fighting to extinguish it. We are on alert with all our units. We are following all developments moment by moment with our experienced teams in crisis management. We do not let go of caution and prudence.
"THE MAIN OPPOSITION HAS NO TANGIBLE FOREIGN POLICY VISION"
Unfortunately, the main opposition has no tangible foreign policy vision. If you say they have diplomatic experience or crisis management experience, they do not have that either. In terms of foreign policy, they only have clichéd sentences. They have complexes hidden in their subconscious. Today, they cannot present a vision in foreign policy. They cannot develop a healthy foreign policy line. Their foreign policy is based on criticism and defamation. This perspective is as dangerous as it is a sick approach.
"WE ARE NEVER IN A STATE OF WEAKNESS"
Countries from Europe to Asia speak highly of Turkey's balanced and moderate policy. I want everyone, including those who look at our country with evil eyes, to know this very well. Neither our state nor our government is ever in a state of weakness. The attitude of saying that if we are not in power, we are not obliged to act responsibly is not only wrong but also extremely selfish. Until yesterday, we do not expect someone who criticized our missile tests with the excuse that 'the fish are scared' to behave differently today.
"TODAY IS A DAY TO ACT WITH A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY"
Those who prioritize their own political future over the future of the nation will never gain respect in our eyes or in the eyes of our nation. Today is not a day for nonsensical statements or for puffing up sails in politics. Today is a day to act with a sense of responsibility, at least until our region overcomes this danger, and to behave with common sense. Try to engage in politics centered in Ankara, abandoning the account of grabbing logs from the flood.
"WE HAVE BEEN IN INTENSE DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC SINCE THE FIRST DAY"
Turkey stands with justice, fairness, international law, peace, and stability in the Iran crisis, just as it does in the Russia-Ukraine war entering its fifth year, in the Syrian conflict, and in Israel's genocides and massacres. We have been in intense diplomatic traffic since the first day. So far, we have met with 16 leaders. Our Foreign Minister has also made over 50 phone calls. Our Minister of National Defense, our Chief of General Staff, and our National Intelligence Organization President are in constant contact with their counterparts.
"CONFLICTS ARE CREATING UNCERTAINTIES IN MANY AREAS"
Our ministers are closely monitoring issues related to their areas of responsibility. We leave nothing to chance. We are taking necessary measures with dynamic process management to keep the crisis, especially its economic effects, at a minimum level. Here, I would like to briefly remind what we have done since February 28 as part of the measures. The conflicts in our region create uncertainties in many areas, from energy and commodity opportunities to trade and supply chains. Such chaotic situations are a threat to economies caught unprepared. For those who are prepared, they are manageable processes. Thank God, we are among the countries in the second category.
We are a country that has emerged from many crises and regional tensions not weakened but strengthened. Our Central Bank's reserves are around 200 billion dollars. Our financial system and markets continue to operate healthily. Our Central Bank has taken necessary measures to effectively manage Turkish Lira and foreign currency liquidity. Borsa Istanbul has rapidly implemented the secure operation of the markets. Despite the sudden rise in oil and natural gas prices, we are doing whatever is necessary to ensure that disinflation continues.
"WE ARE DOING WHAT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON TRADE"
We are not allowing any disruption in users' access to fuel. Thank God, everything in the energy dimension is under our control. We had already secured agricultural, fertilizer, and raw material supplies. We have reduced the customs tax to zero for fertilizer procurement from alternative countries. We believe that there will be no problem in agricultural production and food supply security in our country, God willing. We are doing what is necessary to prevent negative impacts on trade. We have tightened our inspections to prevent irregular practices such as exorbitant price increases and stockpiling.
Commercial and economic activities in 15 countries affected by the war are being carefully monitored by our trade attachés and embassies. The EU Commission, with its latest draft, has defined the scope of products produced in Turkey under the Customs Union framework with EU origin requirements. We see this as a step taken in the right direction.
"WE ARE MONITORING OUR AIRSPACE 24/7"
Since February 28, we have taken all necessary steps regarding the reinforcement of our defense and security measures. We are monitoring our airspace 24/7 with our F-16s and early warning and tanker aircraft. We are ensuring our border security with approximately 60,000 personnel under all conditions with our land, naval, and air force elements.
Details are coming...