Turkey warns of ‘ring of fire’ in the Middle East

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the US and Israeli attacks on Iran as a violation of its sovereignty and an intervention against the peace of the Iranian people. In a speech in Istanbul, he said he was deeply concerned about the situation.

At the same time, he criticised Tehran’s response, calling Iran’s attacks on Persian Gulf states unacceptable.

According to Erdogan, the region stands on a dangerous precipice. If military logic prevails over diplomacy, the Middle East could, in his words, be ‘drawn into a ring of fire’. The Turkish leader therefore called for immediate steps to halt the bloodshed and return to the negotiating table.

Ankara plans to step up diplomatic efforts and support the establishment of a ceasefire. Turkey appears to be positioning itself as a mediator at a time when tensions between the US, Israel and Iran are rising sharply.

(reuters)