Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call to address the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Both leaders condemned Israel’s recent military strikes, describing them as violations of international law and the UN Charter. Expressing grave concern over the potential for a wider regional conflict, they urged an immediate ceasefire and emphasized that issues such as Iran’s nuclear ambitions should be resolved through political and diplomatic channels. The Kremlin noted that both sides are committed to ongoing cooperation, with Erdogan offering Turkey’s support to help mediate and de-escalate tensions.

In a statement released by Turkey’s Communications Directorate, Erdogan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing a “lawless attitude” that threatens global stability and distracts from what he called a “genocide in Gaza.” He warned that the Middle East cannot bear the burden of another war and called on all parties to return to diplomacy before a broader refugee crisis unfolds. The phone call came in the wake of Israel’s “Rising Lion” operation, which targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure. While Israel framed the attack as a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear development, the international response has been mixed—drawing criticism from Russia, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan, even as former U.S. President Donald Trump praised the action after initially urging restraint.

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SOURCE: Reuters