Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Türkiye is adopting a cautious and balanced strategy amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East while maintaining strong fraternal and neighborly relations in the region.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye is avoiding being drawn into the tensions and remains determined to stay away from the circle of fire. He emphasized that recent developments over the past 25 days have shown that the conflict is primarily driven by Israel, while its consequences are being felt globally.

Erdogan described the situation as a war tied to the survival of Israeli leadership, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, but stressed that the burden is being borne by billions of people worldwide. He called for an immediate end to what he referred to as violence, urging the international community to take stronger and more proactive positions.

He further stated that rigid and uncompromising approaches are hindering diplomatic efforts and that such obstacles must be avoided. Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting peace efforts in Iran and highlighted the economic impact of the conflict including rising energy prices. He added that measures are being taken to mitigate the effects on the Turkish economy.