"We welcome the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran and look forward to its full implementation and the achievement of a permanent ceasefire," Turk said.
He added, "We affirm that peaceful means and diplomatic solutions must be the basis for establishing true peace and stability in the region, and we support all forms of constructive dialogue and initiatives in this direction."
On June 13, Israel, with US support, launched a 12-day attack on Iran, targeting military and nuclear sites, civilian facilities, and the assassination of military leaders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded by targeting Israeli military and intelligence headquarters with ballistic missiles and drones.
As Iran responded with missile strikes against Israel, inflicting heavy losses, the United States attacked nuclear facilities in Iran on June 22nd. Tehran responded by bombing the U.S. military base at Al Udeid in Qatar. Washington then declared a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran on June 24th.
The Turkish spokesman stressed that achieving a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid are essential to launching a sustainable peace process.
He stressed that regional stability is only possible through a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a genocidal war in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The genocide, backed by the United States, left more than 188,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and a famine claimed the lives of many, including children.
At the conclusion of the spokesman's weekly press conference, ministry sources confirmed that Türkiye plans to expand its multi-layered air defense system to cover the entire country.
The sources indicated that Türkiye, as the second-largest army in NATO, is among the top five countries contributing troops to the alliance's operations and missions.
"Türkiye has achieved all of its capability goals. In addition, we continue to increase our defense budget and invest in our defense industry and research and development capabilities," she said.
The sources added: "In this context, we plan to expand the multi-layered air defense system to cover all parts of the country by investing first in our air defense system (the Iron Dome)."
She added, "We also continue to strengthen our armed forces and enhance our defensive capabilities by investing in hypersonic and ballistic missile systems, guided missiles, aircraft, ships, tanks, unmanned land, sea, and air systems, and new-generation aircraft carriers and frigates."
The sources stressed that Türkiye has a firm resolve to fulfill its obligations as a responsible and reliable member of NATO.
On August 6, 2024, the Turkish Defense Industries Executive Committee, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, decided to develop the "Steel Dome" project to enhance the country's airspace security, sources in the Turkish presidency told Anadolu Agency.
The "Steel Dome" is expected to be equipped with air defense weapons systems, radar, electro-optical systems, communications units, command control stations, and artificial intelligence, becoming the "guardian" of Turkey's airspace.
Regarding Syria, the sources strongly condemned the terrorist attack by ISIS on Mar Elias Church in Damascus on Sunday, expressing their condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the wounded.
She considered this act, carried out by the terrorist organization ISIS, to target social peace and unity in Syria, and to be a crime committed against all of humanity.
She affirmed Türkiye's support for and solidarity with the Syrian people, and pointed out the importance of the Syrian people, with all their components, standing united against the aggressors and enemies of Syria and thwarting their provocations.
She said, "We previously sent our personnel to Syria to participate in the operations center that will be established to combat ISIS. A structure will be established through which regional countries can jointly combat the terrorist organization. We will continue to cooperate with all our might to end the scourge of terrorism in Syria, as it is in our country."
She added, "The Syrian government will not allow those seeking to destabilize Syria and drag it back into chaos, and we, in turn, will provide it with the necessary support in this regard."
On Sunday, the Syrian Interior Ministry said that an ISIS suicide bomber entered St. Elias Church in Damascus, opened fire, and detonated an explosive vest before detonating it, killing 25 people and wounding 63.
