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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday condemned Israel's large-scale military strikes against Iran, calling them a "blatant provocation" that threatens regional stability as the international community grapples with escalating Middle East tensions.
Writing on social media platform X, Erdogan said Israel has brought its strategy of "drowning our region in blood, tears and instability" to a "very dangerous stage" with Friday morning's attacks on Iran.
"The attacks Israel carried out against our neighbor Iran are a blatant provocation that disregards international law," Erdogan stated, describing the strikes as evidence of Israel's "lawless mentality."
President characterized the timing of the strikes as particularly provocative, noting they occurred "at a time when negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program are intensifying and international pressure is increasing against inhumane actions toward Gaza."
"The Netanyahu administration is making efforts to drag our region and the entire world into disaster with its reckless, aggressive and lawless actions," Erdogan wrote, calling for the international community to "put a stop to Israeli banditry that targets global and regional stability."
Iran declared Israel's wave of strikes a "declaration of war" after Israeli forces hit approximately 100 targets, including nuclear facilities, killing senior military figures and nuclear scientists.
Among the casualties were Iran's armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards head Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media reports. State media said six nuclear scientists were killed in the strikes, which targeted Iran's main underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes targeted the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme" and would "continue as many days as it takes." The Israeli military claimed intelligence showed Iran was approaching the "point of no return" on its nuclear program.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel faces a "bitter and painful" fate over the attacks, while Iranian military officials said there were "no limits" to their response. In a letter to the United Nations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the strikes as a "declaration of war" and called for immediate Security Council action.
The Israeli military reported that Iran launched approximately 100 drones in response, which were intercepted outside Israeli territory. Jordan also reported intercepting drones and missiles that violated its airspace.
The attacks disrupted air traffic across the region, with Tehran's main airport suspending flights and Gulf airlines canceling routes to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Oil prices surged while stock markets declined following the strikes.
U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, which involved 200 fighter jets according to Israeli officials. Trump emphasized that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb," while the U.S. government stressed it was not involved in the Israeli action.
Erdogan extended condolences to Iran, stating: "As Türkiye, we condemn the despicable attacks carried out against our neighbor Iran; we pray for God's mercy for those who lost their lives, wish a speedy recovery to the wounded, and convey our condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people."
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67 percent limit set by a 2015 nuclear agreement but below the 90 percent threshold needed for weapons-grade material. The strikes raised questions about planned U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman.
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