Türkiye’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has described the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran as a “clear violation of international law”, in his strongest remarks yet on the escalating regional crisis.
Speaking on Monday, Erdoğan said Ankara had intensified diplomatic efforts “at all levels” to secure a swift ceasefire and restore stability to the region.
His comments came as Ömer Çelik, spokesman for Türkiye’s ruling AK Party, sharply criticised the joint operation, calling it an “unjust and unlawful attack” on Iran.
The ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes began early on Saturday (28 February) and “lack legitimacy under international law,” Çelik said.
Çelik also condemned the U.S. decision to launch the military campaign while negotiations with Iran were still under way, warning that the move could have “deeply troubling consequences”.
He argued that U.S. military action, carried out in support of what he described as Israel’s “hard-line foreign policy agenda”, had “destabilised the entire region”.
However, Çelik also urged Tehran to avoid widening the conflict by targeting third countries.
“There must be a clear distinction between the right to self-defence and actions that could trigger a wider regional war,” he said.
Earlier on Monday, Erdoğan held a telephone call with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to discuss the crisis.
According to the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan told the NATO chief that Ankara was monitoring developments closely and stressed the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.
Rutte reaffirmed NATO’s commitment to collective defence, highlighting the alliance’s “360-degree approach” to addressing regional and global security threats.
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Türkiye’s official anti-disinformation agency has issued a statement refuting what it described as online “disinformation” and reiterating the strength of relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
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Türkiye’s official anti-disinformation agency has issued a statement refuting what it described as online “disinformation” and reiterating the strength of relations between Türkiye and Azerbaijan.
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