Ankara, Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, have affirmed their commitment to avoiding actions that could jeopardize stability in the Middle East. The announcement came during President Raisi’s visit to Ankara, where the leaders discussed various regional issues, with a focus on addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
At a press conference following their meeting on Wednesday, Erdogan emphasized the need to end what he referred to as Israel’s “inhumane” attacks on Gaza and stressed the importance of achieving fair and lasting peace in the region. The leaders agreed on refraining from steps that could further threaten the security and stability of the region, committing to continued cooperation against cross-border threats.
The main agenda of the meeting was addressing the situation in Gaza, where Israel’s military actions have sparked international concern. While acknowledging that the two leaders may not have the power to halt the ongoing events in Gaza, they expressed a common goal of containing the escalation and crisis in the region, particularly in Yemen and the Red Sea areas.
A reporter from Ankara, highlighted that Erdogan and Raisi affirmed their commitment to the fight against terrorism. Turkey, known for its vocal condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza, has called for an immediate ceasefire and supported legal measures for Israel to be tried for genocide. Despite its strong stance, Turkey has maintained commercial ties with Israel, drawing criticism domestically and from Iran.
Iran leads what it terms the “axis of resistance,” consisting of groups like Hamas, Yemen’s Houthis, and other Shia Muslim factions that oppose Israel and Western allies. The conflict in Gaza has raised concerns about potential spillover into the wider region. The United States and the United Kingdom recently conducted strikes in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis claim that their attacks target vessels linked to Israel and vow to continue as long as the Gaza conflict persists. Erdogan condemned the U.S. and UK’s actions in Yemen, describing them as a disproportionate use of force.
President Raisi accused the U.S. of supporting what he called Israel’s crimes against Palestinians and reiterated his call for Muslim nations to sever ties with the “Zionist regime.” He labeled the situation in Palestine and Gaza as a crime against humanity and urged the international community to take steps to end these alleged crimes.
Turkey and Iran, despite historical complexities in their relationship, are now working towards improved ties. The Syrian civil war had previously strained relations, with Turkey backing rebels seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad, while Iran supported the Syrian government. Recently, Turkey has taken steps to mend ties with Damascus, reflecting shifting dynamics in the region.
The discussions between Erdogan and Raisi underscore the challenges and complexities of regional geopolitics, as the leaders navigate issues such as the Gaza conflict, Yemen, and broader Middle East stability.
