18.06.2025 12:50
In his remarks regarding the Israel-Iran war, President Erdoğan stated, "The fire from Israel is spreading throughout our region. As Turkey, we are prepared for any kind of adversity."
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President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting.
Erdoğan, who made evaluations regarding the ongoing Israel-Iran conflicts for 6 days, stated, "All our institutions and relevant friends are on alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkey. We have made and are making preparations against all kinds of negativity and scenarios."
Erdoğan included the following statements in his speech:
"While Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, it has also attacked Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, massacring civilians there. In the West Bank, it attacks civilian settlements every day, killing innocents and gradually occupying those areas. As if all this were not enough, Israel has expanded its banditry by attacking certain targets in Iran and carrying out assassinations within Iran. I must say at the outset; it is extremely natural, legitimate, and a legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel's banditry and state terrorism."
"ISRAEL COMMITTED A TERRORIST ACT"
Iran has been openly attacked by a country that does not recognize law, does not abide by rules, has no principles, is spoiled, and is reckless. Moreover, these attacks were carried out while Iran's nuclear negotiations were ongoing. Israel, which possesses nuclear weapons and does not recognize any international rules in its nuclear activities, has committed a terrorist act without waiting for the negotiations to conclude or for the results. Unfortunately, in the face of this aggression, which is happening before the eyes of the whole world and all humanity, international institutions and states, especially the United Nations, remain silent, and some, unfortunately, openly support this banditry. While a shameful picture of humanity has been ongoing in Gaza for exactly 625 days, those who remain silent have again fallen into a deep silence as the fire rapidly spreads throughout our region.
I say again; remaining silent in the face of this aggression, this lawlessness, this state terrorism, and banditry is to particularly consent to what is happening. Those who support Israel's recklessness and those who remain silent have blood on their hands and foreheads from the civilians who have been slaughtered, the babies and children who have been killed, and that bloodstain will never be cleaned from those hands and foreheads.
"WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO PATIENTLY"
This stain of blood and shame has not only smeared Netanyahu's hands and forehead; it has also smeared the hands and foreheads of the Zionists who support him, as well as everyone who remains silent and indifferent. We are doing everything we can to stop this inhumane aggression against Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and our neighbor Iran, and we will continue to do so patiently.
Just like in the other conflicts we have faced over the last 23 years, we are closely monitoring Israel's terrorist attacks against Iran. All our institutions and relevant friends are on alert regarding the possible effects of these attacks on Turkey. We have made and are making preparations against all kinds of negativity and scenarios.
"WE DO NOT TAKE THE INCITEMENTS OF THOSE WHO CALL HAMAS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION SERIOUSLY"
First of all, everyone needs to know this; we are not running a grocery store. We are managing one of the largest countries in the world, the Republic of Turkey. Our state experience, historical depth, and our centuries-old accumulation as a nation are our greatest reference sources in managing this process. The responsibility of power does not tolerate empty rhetoric, grandstanding, or polemics. We cannot act based on the statements of those who do not carry the weight of responsibility. Until yesterday, those who shamelessly took on the role of Israel's voluntary lawyers and called Hamas a terrorist organization are not even worth responding to. Those who have mercilessly criticized us for drawing attention to Israel's increasing aggression in my opening speech to the parliament should not be giving us advice today or questioning our sensitivities; if they have even a shred of self-respect left, they should acknowledge their mistakes and apologize to us. We determine the steps we have taken and will take not according to the recommendations of these visionless individuals, who are incapable of seeing what is right under their noses, but with the seriousness befitting the Republic of Turkey. We are not on the side of conflict, violence, and oppression; we are on the side of rights, justice, dialogue, and diplomacy.
"WE ARE IN A INTENSE DIPLOMATIC TRAFFIC"
With this understanding, we have been in intense diplomatic traffic since June 13 to end the aggression. We have met twice with American President Mr. Trump and Iranian President Mr. Pezeshkian. We have had phone conversations with the leaders of all our brother countries in the region in the same way. We have thoroughly evaluated the issue with Russian President Mr. Putin. Other friends outside of us are also in constant contact with their counterparts.
From the very beginning, as a country that can also talk to Iran, we have strived for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue. Today, we are doing everything we can to silence the guns, and we will continue to do so. Our nation should be at ease. We are fully committed to following the interests, peace, unity, and security of Turkey. The strong solidarity of the AK Party and the National Alliance is the guarantee of all 86 million in these stormy waters.
"ALL COUNTRIES IN OUR REGION MUST LEARN THE NECESSARY LESSONS"
Another issue is this. Stopping Israeli aggression is indeed essential for the whole world and humanity. However, all countries in our region, including our neighbor Iran, must learn the necessary lessons from what has happened. If a common measure is to be taken against Israeli aggression and state terrorism in our region, everyone should put their hats, turbans, and caps in front of them and think thoroughly. Another important point is this, dear brothers; the aggression that Israel has openly carried out in the last 2 years explains the problems faced by our broad geography, which includes Turkey.
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