President Erdogan Says Israel Is Responsible for War Against Iran

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said the Israeli government was primarily responsible for the ongoing "illegal war" against Iran.

"The Israeli government bears the main responsibility for this illegal war, which has not only turned our region into a conflict zone but has also burdened the economy of the entire human race," President Erdogan said, in a meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AK) parliamentary group in the capital Ankara, quoted from Anadolu (1/4).

"Don't forget that every drop of blood spilled in the war will prolong the political survival of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu," he said.

President Erdogan further said that the conflict that began on February 28 in the region had completed its first month and continued with an increasing level of threat and danger, adding that Turkey's priority was to pass through this turbulent period without harm and that the country was determined to keep the country away from the flames.

"Among the main dangers facing our region is not only the prolongation of the war, but also the risk of the war developing into a wider regional conflict, because retaliatory attacks targeting energy, transportation, and civilian infrastructure unfortunately increase this possibility," explained President Erdogan.

He said that the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended a four-party meeting in Islamabad with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan, where concerns were discussed, and steps to end the war were discussed.

"National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin, and other officials also made intensive efforts in their respective fields," he added.

"If there is a glimmer of hope to end the bloodshed, to dry the tears, to silence the guns, and to solve problems through diplomacy, it is our duty to seize it," President Erdogan said.

"Since the beginning of the war, Turkey's principled stance, its attitude, and the messages it has sent to the world and the region have become the voice of humanity and conscience," he added.

"War with Iran does not support the vision of global peace, but rather damages it," said President Erdogan, stressing that diplomacy, dialogue and compromise are the best tools available to get out of this impasse, and underlining the need to find a common ground rather than insisting on maximalist demands.

"Our hope is that the path to peace will open without further bloodshed, and for that, we will continue to do everything we can, even if it means risking ourselves," the Turkish president said.