Turkish President Erdogan accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of causing regional tensions and being the one who caused Iran to attack Israeli territory.
"The main person responsible for the tense developments on the evening of April 13 is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on television on April 16, referring to Iran's attack on Israeli territory with UAVs and missiles.
"Those who have been silent for months in the face of Israel's brazen actions immediately condemned Iran's response, but it is Netanyahu who should be the first to be condemned," President Erdogan added.
According to the Turkish leader, Israel is trying to incite regional conflict and the airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1 violated international law and was the "last straw" that forced Iran to act.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara on April 16. Photo: AFP
He added that new conflicts in the region were possible as long as the “atrocities and genocide” in Gaza continued. He also criticised the West for condemning Tehran’s attack but not speaking out after an air strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria that killed scores of people.
Israel has not commented on Erdogan's remarks. The Turkish president frequently criticizes Israel and its leadership.
Tensions between Iran and Israel escalated after an attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1, killing 13 people, including seven members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iran accused Israel of being behind the attack, while Tel Aviv did not comment.
In response, the IRGC launched more than 300 UAVs and missiles at multiple targets in Israel on the night of April 13 and early morning of April 14. The attack is believed to have caused little damage in Israel because the Iron Dome defense system, with support from the US, UK, France and Jordan, intercepted 99% of the missiles launched by Iran.
Türkiye on April 14 called for an "end to escalation" in the Middle East, saying such moves risked leading to a regional war.
Huyen Le (According to AFP , Reuters )
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