ISTANBUL
Türkiye is navigating the current Mideast conflict cautiously and prudently, while upholding brotherhood and neighborly relations, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.
“We are not falling into traps set for us,” Erdogan said at a speech following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, stressing that Türkiye is “determined to steer clear of the ring of fire.”
Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye, aware of its stature, stands out in its region and globally through its stance, discourse, and actions.
"Türkiye is one of the rare countries that dares to call right 'right' and wrong 'wrong,'" he said, noting that following "the attacks launched on Feb. 28 against our neighbor Iran under Israel's pressure, this characteristic of our country has been discussed more widely."
He emphasized that Türkiye is among the leading countries praised for "correctly reading and analyzing from day one this process that has engulfed our region in blood and gunpowder."
Erdogan said Türkiye has been well prepared for the evolving global environment of conflict and war, highlighting steps to strengthen energy supply security through diversification and projects aimed at bringing domestic resources into use, while also reinforcing infrastructure, transportation, and financial resilience against external shocks.
Emphasizing growing international engagement, he said Türkiye has expanded cooperation mechanisms with dozens of countries and strengthened trade and diplomatic ties, particularly across Africa and Latin America.
He added that the country has also boosted its industrial capacity by establishing new organized industrial zones and technoparks.
Despite "hidden and open embargoes," Erdogan said Türkiye has reached a level of self-sufficiency in many fields, particularly in defense, noting that the country has achieved significant progress with domestic capabilities "from unmanned aerial vehicles to missiles and rockets, from electronic warfare systems to air defense capabilities."
He also underscored a shift in Türkiye's security doctrine, saying Ankara has expanded its security perimeter beyond its borders, describing it as "a transformation in our country's security paradigm."
Global transformation
Erdogan said the global system has been undergoing a deep transformation since the 2008 financial crisis, intensifying competition among actors across four main axes.
"The international system is essentially seeking answers to key questions: Who will shape technology? Who will control data and artificial intelligence? Who will dominate production, supply, and consumption chains? Who will control energy resources and trade routes? In a world evolving toward multipolarity, who will be the new poles?" he said.
He added that the region has once again become the main arena of competition, similar to a century ago, as traditional alliances weaken and new ones emerge among countries facing similar threats.
Highlighting Türkiye's achievements in transportation, Erdogan said the country's infrastructure has enabled uninterrupted rail travel from London to China.
"If it is now possible to travel by uninterrupted rail from London to China, this is thanks to the railways, bridges, and tunnels we have built in our country," he said.
‘Israel’s uncompromising, radical stance must not be allowed'
The past 25 days have shown that while this is Israel’s war, the world is paying the price; it is (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s war for survival, but 8 billion people are bearing the cost,” he said.
“The massacre network led by Netanyahu must be stopped immediately,” for the sake of regional peace and humanity, said Erdogan, stressing that every country must take a bold and proactive stance.
“Israel’s uncompromising, maximalist, and radical stance must not be allowed to undermine diplomatic solutions,” he noted.
No country that values global peace and stability should, from now on, fuel the fire that Israel has unjustly ignited in the region, Erdogan said, underlining that Türkiye will continue to work with all its strength, all its means, and all the tools at its disposal to establish peace, justice, and stability.
‘Türkiye to uphold universal language of love, peace, and brotherhood'
The president warned that war leaves deep scars not only in cities and production facilities but also in minds and hearts, noting that retaliatory actions, particularly toward Gulf countries, risk escalating anger and hatred and sowing discord among peoples.
"We will continue to uphold the universal language of love, peace, and brotherhood in our region," Erdogan said, noting that just as Türkiye's terror-free process is "disrupting a bloody game that has lasted half a century," its vision of a terror-free region is also thwarting plans to sow discord among Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Persians.
Erdogan said developments in northern Syria and a "dirty plot" against Iran underscored the accuracy and strategic value of Türkiye's vision put forward a year and a half ago.
Stressing that unity and solidarity are growing stronger as the era of weapons and violence draws to a close, he said: "The winners will be our country, our nation, and the brotherly peoples of our region."
Emphasizing a shared history in the region, he said Turks and other peoples have lived together for centuries, sharing both sorrow and joy, adding that "we will not surrender to the language of violence, hatred, and enmity" and will continue to uphold "the universal language of love, peace, and brotherhood."
Regional developments
The US and Israel have carried out an air offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, so far killing over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a five-day halt on all strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing what he called “very good and productive” talks with Tehran over the weekend.
Iranian officials rejected claims of talks, calling them "fake news," while its Foreign Ministry admitted receiving messages from “friendly countries” that it said indicated US requests for talks.
