How the government, its allies and anti-imperialist forces reacted.
How the government, its allies and anti-imperialist forces reacted.
As in the rest of the world, the war between Iran and the US-Israel topped Türkiye’s agenda.
The Turkish public, almost in its entirety, is closely following and supporting Iran’s fight against the US-Israel.
Officials and politicians issued several statements about the war.
President Erdoğan: “Diplomacy should be given a chance”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made remarks about the ongoing war during the AKP parliamentary group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Erdoğan said that “the war launched against our neighbor Iran with Israel’s provocations has caused severe destruction,” and added that the war is creating serious pressure on the global economic system.
Stating that Türkiye is making efforts for diplomacy, Erdoğan said they have been in contact with many countries including Iran and the US, and that he himself has held more than twenty phone calls. “This war must be stopped before it escalates and sets the entire region on fire. If diplomacy is given a chance, this can be achieved,” he said.
Erdoğan also noted that they are acting cautiously and choosing their words carefully. Saying that the government has taken the necessary precautions against “bloody scenarios,” Erdoğan warned that sectarianism is being fueled in the region, while they reject discrimination based on race, sect, religion, language, or origin. “For us as a nation, there are no Arabs, Kurds, Sunnis or Shiites, there are only human beings. Whoever suffers injustice or hardship, we stand with them,” Erdoğan said.
Erdoğan said that the Middle East longs for a permanent peace:
“We are in favor of the Middle East achieving the permanent peace that the Middle East longs for. We defend the territorial integrity of all countries in the region. We have no aim other than peace. We have no designs on the sovereignty of any country, but if anyone has on our land, we will not hesitate to say ‘bring it on.’”
Foreign Minister Fidan: “We are talking to both the Iranian and the American sides”
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who at the start of the war had remarked about Iran that “if you haven’t done your homework and improved your capabilities, you shouldn’t even get into verbal spat with Israel and the US,” has now made new statements on the issue and criticized Israel.
Fidan spoke at a joint press conference following his meeting at the Foreign Ministry with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. He said:
“We are firmly opposed to any plan aimed at triggering a civil war in Iran or fueling conflict along ethnic or sectarian fault lines. We are warning anyone who might be tempted to embark on such adventures: We won’t allow that.”
Fidan stated that Türkiye is prepared for every possible scenario. Emphasizing the importance of defense systems, he also noted that Türkiye and Germany share a similar view on how and when the ongoing war should be brought to an end.
Responding to journalists’ questions, Fidan said: “Over the past few days, we have been witnessing the most intense phase of the war (…) As the scale and destructiveness become more evident and the risks increase, the need for negotiations becomes even more pressing for all parties.”
Highlighting the importance of diplomacy, Fidan revealed that Türkiye has been in contact with both Iran and the US.
Fidan described Iran’s operations in the Gulf countries as a “wrong”:
“Just as the unprovoked war launched against Iran is unjust and unlawful, Iran’s attacks on other countries, especially on the Gulf states, are equally wrong. We tell our Iranian counterparts this as well. But in order to put an end to this, a way to peace and ceasefire must be found.”
MHP leader Bahçeli: “Türkiye won’t fall into the Zionist-imperialist traps”
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and coalition partner in government, also issued a statement.
Bahçeli described the attacks on Iran as an “unjust and ignoble war”. He warned “Starting a war is easy, but ending it is difficult.”
Highlighting the vulnerabilities of the US and Israel, he said:
“It is seen that the US and Israel have begun to falter against Iran, and dissolution in their domestic public opinion is accelerating. A destructive provocation is at play, extending the war to a broader region with ethnic and sectarian characteristics.”
Bahçeli also addressed potential provocations targeting Türkiye:
“Strategic knowledge is dual-layered. On one hand, it requires understanding the external environment; on the other, it demands an accurate assessment of our own capabilities. Türkiye correctly interprets developments, is aware of its own capacities, and implements strategic balancing and verification. We do not, and cannot, yield to any threat. At the same time, we are by no means a fledgling state that will fall into the trap of Zionist-imperialist schemes and intelligence games. As the military, political, and economic burden of the US-Israel partnership grows, particularly as their domestic public objections regarding the Iran war rise, the danger around us will intensify. We must be prepared for every scenario, read the immoral plans aimed at pushing Türkiye into the abyss, and neutralize those who dig the pit.”
On the multidimensional consequences of the war, Bahçeli added:
“The bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz, blockages in the Persian Gulf, serious disruptions in the transportation and logistics of oil and other energy resources all signal that the war will have multi-faceted repercussions. Mutual missile strikes, bombed schools and hospitals, and civilian casualties shake the global conscience.”
Finally, Bahçeli called for diplomacy:
“This war must end immediately. The US and Israel must keep out of Iran. Weapons should fall silent, and instead dialogue, diplomacy and politics should speak.”
Vatan Party leader Perinçek: “Trump has put on Hitler’s boots”
Another assessment came from Vatan Party leader Doğu Perinçek.
Perinçek stated that the martyrdom of Iranian leader Khamenei had sparked the Iranian people’s determination to resist:
“Upon the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, those who had sold their spirit to the US and Israel cried out in joy. But within just a few days, everyone has begun to see who will win the war.
Not aircraft carriers, but people who fear not death win the war. Yes, Iran’s Supreme Leader and certain commanders have laid down their lives for Iran. However, their martyrdom and bravery have inspired the Iranian Army and the people’s determination to resist. Ayatollah Khamenei has proved that Iranian state officials are equal to ordinary Iranian soldiers and workers in terms of martyrdom and bravery. This very equality, this very spirit is the secret of victory. US and Israeli troops are fighting for the wealth-intoxicated Trumps’ oil heists. The Iranian military and people, however, are fighting for their homeland.”
Perinçek further remarked:
“We had said during the US attack on Venezuela: Trump has put on Hitler’s boots. His battlefields are his graves. Khamenei was buried in his homeland. Trump’s grave will not be on US soil but across the oceans at the fronts of the wars he has waged.”
Perinçek also argued that efforts to appease US and Israeli aggression have failed. He likened current approaches to the pre-World War II policy of appeasing Hitler and warned the rulers in Türkiye.
Perinçek also warned against the “so‑called Kurdistan” plans:
Trump and Netanyahu have once again dangled the carrot before the Turkish Government. They have once again brought up the plan ‘Kurdistan under Türkiye’s protection’. “Talk of a ‘Turkish-Kurdish-Arab alliance across the border’ was heard in the statements of Turkish government officials, as well as in the remarks of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Committee and Abdullah Öcalan. This is designed to trap Türkiye, Iran and our other neighbors, as well as the Kurds. Those who fall into this trap will not only make their countries pay the price but will also lose their own power.”
Perinçek finally said that the goal of “regime change” of the US-Israel has collapsed:
“The aim of the US and Israel was to bring about regime change in Iran. But right from the start of the war, the Iranian regime grew stronger. The Iranian people have united firmly behind their government. Tens of millions are taking to the streets across northern and southern, eastern and western Iran. Yes, there is a regime change: Trump’s and Netanyahu’s power are under threat.”
Turkish Ministry of National Defense: “Patriot system is deployed in Malatya”
In response to missile provocations targeting Türkiye, the Ministry of National Defense issued a series of statements detailing precautionary measures. The Ministry said:
“In light of recent developments in our region, necessary measures are being taken to secure our borders and airspace, with consultations held alongside NATO and our Allies.”
The Ministry also noted that NATO has increased air and missile defense measures. The statement also informed the public that a Patriot system was deployed in Malatya to support the protection of airspace.
Addressing questions about why the S‑400 system was not used during the recent provocations, the ministry clarified:
“The most suitable defense element is determined by engagement rules and the current operational picture. Türkiye is part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defense system, which includes early warning sensors, command and control, and interceptor missiles. When a ballistic missile is detected, the system automatically selects and launches the most appropriate and rapid intercept method. The most effective defense components were activated against the ballistic missiles targeting our country, and they were successfully destroyed.”