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Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Directorate Friday has firmly rejected claims that Esra Albayrak, daughter of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, celebrated the deaths of Iranian generals in Israel’s latest strikes. The Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) dismissed the allegations as “false” and linked them to Israeli propaganda efforts.
In a statement shared on social media, the DMM clarified that the X account cited by pro-Israeli sources has no affiliation with Albayrak, pointing out that the account’s profile photo and previous manipulations involving similar name confusions clearly indicate a deliberate misinformation attempt.
“It is well known from our earlier rebuttals that genocidal Israeli propaganda accounts have exploited name similarities to spread disinformation,” the center stated. “Türkiye stands for peace and stability in the Middle East. Our President’s consistent and principled stance against Israel’s brutal aggression is evident across international platforms.”"
The clarification came on the same day President Erdogan strongly condemned Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets. Calling the operation a “blatant provocation,” Erdogan warned that Israel’s actions threaten to plunge the region into deeper instability.
“Israel has now brought its strategy of drowning our region in blood, tears, and instability to a very dangerous stage,” Erdogan posted on X.
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Also on Friday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Ankara’s call for diplomacy as the sole path to resolving tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. Chairing a high-level meeting with Türkiye’s defense and intelligence leadership, Fidan said the crisis should not distract the world from Israel’s ongoing attacks in Gaza.
“We must not allow the growing tension in our region to divert attention from the genocide taking place in Gaza,” Fidan posted.
Fidan said Türkiye remains in close contact with several countries, including the U.S., Iran, Iraq, and Jordan, and that President Erdogan is being continuously briefed on the situation. He added that all relevant institutions are implementing necessary measures in line with potential regional fallout.
Early Friday, Israel launched a large-scale military assault involving approximately 200 aircraft targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and long-range missile sites. The Israeli military said 100 targets were hit, including key nuclear and military facilities.
Among the casualties were senior Iranian military leaders, including the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and top nuclear scientists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strikes and vowed they would continue “as many days as it takes.” Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a national state of emergency.
Iran responded by launching around 100 drones toward Israel. According to Israeli military sources, most were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the attacks in a televised speech, labeling them “barbaric” and accusing Israel of building its existence on “occupation, aggression and killing babies.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “bitter and painful” response and immediately appointed replacements for the killed commanders. Iran also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, with its foreign minister describing the Israeli attacks as a “declaration of war.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s communications ministry imposed internet restrictions across the country, saying access would be restored once “normalcy returns.”
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