President Erdogan Says Turkiye Pushing Diplomacy On Iran Tensions, Calls For De-Escalation

Summary

ISTANBUL, April 15 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Turkiye is making “necessary appeals and initiatives” to reduce tensions, extend the ceasefire, and continue talks over US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. “The Israeli government, which is known to be unhappy with the ceasefire process, must not be allowed to sabotage it,” Erdogan said during his Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentary group meeting. “Negotiations cannot be held with clenched fists. Weapons must not be allowed to speak again instead of words. The window of opportunity opened by the ceasefire must be utilised,” he said. Erdogan also praised Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, saying he “congratulates from the heart my dear friend Sanchez, who has taken a firm stance against the threats of butcher Netanyahu in Gaza.” Regarding regional stability, he said: “If there is to be peace in our region, it will be despite the Zionist regime. If stability is achieved, it will again be despite the Israeli government.” “We will continue to call the oppressor an oppressor, the pirate a pirate, and the killer a killer, and to be the voice of the children of Gaza and to listen to the cries of mothers whose hearts are burning,” he added. Erdogan said Turkiye would also “continue to defend the rights of our brothers whose lands are occupied in the West Bank and to be the follower of the cause of children killed in their sleep in Lebanon.” “We are always ready to be the voice of peace and to lead peace efforts with the principle of peace at home, peace in the region, and peace in the world,” he stressed. Addressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism directed at him and Turkiye, Erdogan said: “I remind the ‘baby killers’ who speak against me and our country of some facts: The Republic of Turkiye is not an ordinary state.” The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday slammed Netanyahu for remarks targeting Erdogan, saying targeting the Turkish leader is a result of "the discomfort caused by the truths we have expressed on every platform." Netanyahu, who is called the Adolf Hitler of this era due to his crimes, is known for his records, said the ministry in a statement. Noting the arrest warrant that has been issued for Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the statement warned about Netanyahu's attempts, which aim to undermine the ongoing peace talks and continue his expansionist policies in the region. The statement further reiterated Turkiye's determination in its efforts to hold Netanyahu accountable for his crimes, along with supporting innocent civilians. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial