Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call on Tuesday with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing the ongoing escalation between Israel and Iran, as well as bilateral relations and a number of regional issues.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Presidency's Communications Department, Erdogan stressed during the call that the cycle of violence that began with Israel's attacks on Iran "now threatens the security of the entire region," asserting that "the Middle East cannot tolerate the outbreak of a new war."
The Turkish president explained that his country is making intensive diplomatic efforts to end the clashes, noting that the nuclear crisis with Iran can only be resolved by returning to the negotiating table. He called on all parties to prioritize dialogue over confrontation.
Erdogan also warned that these developments could negatively impact the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need not to forget what is happening in Gaza amidst Iranian-Israeli tensions. He warned that the West Bank and East Jerusalem could also face the threat of occupation if the escalation in the region continues.
At dawn on Friday, Israel, with US support, launched a massive attack on Iran, bombing nuclear facilities and missile bases and assassinating military leaders and nuclear scientists. The attack left a total of 224 dead and 1,277 wounded, according to Iranian television.
That same evening, Iran began responding with ballistic missiles and drones, leaving approximately 24 dead, 592 injured, and significant material damage by Monday afternoon, according to the Israeli Ministry of Health and Hebrew media.
Israel's current aggression against Iran is the most extensive, representing a transition from a "shadow war" of bombings and assassinations to an open military conflict.
