President Erdogan warns Middle East faces ‘ring of fire’ after joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye feels “deep sorrow” and is concerned over US-Israeli attacks on Iran, "which began with provocations by (Israeli Premier) Netanyahu," said the Turkish president on Saturday.

Türkiye deeply regrets joint US-Israeli attacks, “which clearly violate Iran's sovereignty and threaten the peace of the friendly and brotherly Iranian people,” said Recep Tayyip Erdogan at an event in Istanbul.

"Regardless of the reason, we consider Iran's missile and drone attacks on our brotherly countries in the Gulf unacceptable,” Erdogan also stressed.

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,” Erdogan warned.

“To prevent further bloodshed and spare our region from greater suffering, all actors—especially the Islamic world— must take urgent action,” said Erdogan.

Ankara will step up diplomatic efforts immediately—first to secure a ceasefire, and then to resume talks at the negotiating table, said the president.

Israel and the US launched an attack against Iran early Saturday, citing alleged threats posed by the "Iranian regime."

The attacks came as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended on Thursday.

Israel also initiated a 12-day war on Iran last June, with the US joining later and bombing three Iranian nuclear sites.