Türkiye warns of wider war, urges diplomacy in Iran conflict

Türkiye issued a stark warning Thursday that the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran risks spiraling into a wider regional conflict, urging all parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue and international law. Defense Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk told reporters that the hostilities—which began with American and Israeli air strikes on Iran and intensified after Tehran targeted third countries—continue to pose a serious threat of broader warfare. “All disputes must be resolved on the basis of international law, through dialogue and diplomacy,” Akturk said. “Our determined stance and efforts in this direction continue. We hope that conflicts harming the peace and stability of our region will be brought to an end as soon as possible.”

Ankara condemns Israeli operations across region

Akturk also sharply criticized Israel’s ongoing military actions on multiple fronts, including Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinian territories. He noted that Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of three UN peacekeeping personnel, calling them violations of both international and humanitarian law. “Israel is also continuing to violate Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through its attacks in the south of the country, while maintaining illegal settlement activities in the West Bank and attacks targeting Gaza,” he added. He urged the global community to step in: “In order to prevent further damage to the legitimacy of the international system and trust in international law, we once again call on the entire international community, especially the UN, to assume responsibility in preventing Israel’s aggression.”

Libyan military talks and Türkiye’s regional role

Separately, Akturk announced that Chief of the General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu is scheduled to meet with the commander of the Libyan Land Forces later Thursday, underscoring Ankara’s active diplomatic and military engagement across multiple theaters. As a NATO member with borders near the conflict zone, Türkiye has positioned itself as a key voice for de-escalation, warning that continued fighting will destabilize the entire Middle East. The US-Israeli air offensive on Iran, launched February 28, has so far killed more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while Iranian drone and missile strikes have targeted Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting American military assets.