Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan warned on Saturday that the Middle East risks being drawn into a “ring of fire” following joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, urging restraint and an immediate return to diplomacy.
Türkiye feels “deep sorrow” and concern over the strikes, which he said began with provocations by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Speaking at an event in Istanbul, Erdoğan said Ankara deplores the joint attacks, describing them as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace.
“Regardless of the reason, we consider Iran’s missile and drone attacks on our brotherly countries in the Gulf unacceptable,” he added.
“If common sense does not prevail and diplomacy is not given a chance, our region faces the risk of being dragged into a ring of fire,” Erdoğan said, calling on all actors — especially countries in the Islamic world — to take urgent steps to prevent further bloodshed.
He said Ankara would intensify diplomatic efforts immediately, first to secure a ceasefire and then to resume negotiations.
Erdoğan also held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the latest developments in Iran and Gulf countries, Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in a post on social media platform X on Sunday.
The call came amid heightened regional tensions and diplomatic efforts by Ankara to reduce escalation and encourage dialogue.
Israel and the United States launched strikes against Iran early on Saturday, citing alleged threats posed by the Iranian government.
The attacks took place as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme were under way with mediation by Oman. A new round of negotiations in Geneva ended on Thursday.
Israel last June launched a 12-day war on Iran, with the United States later joining and carrying out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.