Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of regional backing for Middle East peace efforts, strongly criticizing Israel’s actions as detrimental to the U.S.-Iran peace deal. Speaking in Istanbul, Erdogan insisted that solutions must draw from the collective will of regional countries to create lasting peace.
Alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan accused Israel of attempts to destabilize efforts led by Pakistan to mediate peace. Turkey has consistently condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, according to Erdogan, and remains vigilant against any moves to ‘dynamite’ the peace agreement.
Erdogan also announced intentions to deepen bilateral ties with Pakistan through collaboration in energy, transport, critical minerals, IT, and defense, with a shared aim of reaching $5 billion in trade. Turkish energy firms are keen to leverage their expertise as Pakistan advances in transforming its electricity sector, highlighted by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar during a business forum in Istanbul earlier on the same day.
(With inputs from agencies.)
