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Turkish president blames Israel for Iran war, vows to keep Ankara out

Turkish President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his party's group meeting in Ankara, Türkiye, April 1, 2026. (AA Photo)
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Turkish President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his party's group meeting in Ankara, Türkiye, April 1, 2026. (AA Photo)
April 01, 2026 02:33 PM GMT+03:00

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed Israel as the "primary" party responsible for the war in the region, saying every drop of blood spilled serves to extend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival.

He also vowed Türkiye is "determined to stay away from this fire" as the conflict enters its second month.

"The primary party responsible for this unlawful war that has not only turned our region into a burning ground but also placed an economic burden on all of humanity's shoulders is the Israeli government," Erdogan told the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentary group meeting on Wednesday.

"It must not be forgotten that every drop of blood shed in this war will be a lifeline extending Netanyahu's political life," he said.

President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his party's group meeting in Ankara, Türkiye, April 1, 2026. (Turkish Presidency/Murat Kula)
President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech during his party's group meeting in Ankara, Türkiye, April 1, 2026. (Turkish Presidency/Murat Kula)

War's threat level 'continues to increase'

Erdogan said the war that began on Feb. 28 had completed its first month with the threat level still rising, saying, "Our priority is for our country to get through this stormy period without incident."

"We are determined to keep Türkiye away from this fire," he said.

He said the government was managing the crisis "on a cautious, measured, balanced and rational footing" without falling into "the traps the opposition wants to draw us into."

Erdogan confirmed that the foreign minister attended a four-way meeting in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan, during which Türkiye raised its concerns and discussed joint steps to end the war.

Destruction is pictured at an office building that housed the offices of the Doha-headquartered news network Al Araby TV following a strike in Tehran, March 29, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Destruction is pictured at an office building that housed the offices of the Doha-headquartered news network Al Araby TV following a strike in Tehran, March 29, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Erdogan calls for diplomacy, says Iran war undermines global peace

Erdogan said Ankara's position was clear: "the bleeding must stop, the guns must fall silent, and if there is hope that problems can be resolved through diplomacy, it is our duty to pursue it."

"Türkiye's principled stance has become the voice of humanity," he said, adding that he wished for the suffering of "brother and friendly countries" to end as soon as possible.

He warned that retaliatory strikes targeting energy, transportation and infrastructure were triggering regional internal conflicts. "It is quite clear that the war with Iran does not serve the vision of global peace, on the contrary, it puts that vision in jeopardy," Erdogan stated.

"The way for humanity to escape this trap is dialogue and diplomacy. Reason and conscience require this," he noted.

"Our wish is for peace to prevail before more blood is shed. We will fight for this, and if necessary, we will put not only our hands but our entire body under the stone," the Turkish president concluded.

April 01, 2026 02:34 PM GMT+03:00
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