ANKARA: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Monday that Türkiye’s main priority is to keep the country out of the escalating regional conflict involving Iran, stressing that protecting national security and stability remains the government’s foremost concern.
“Our primary goal is to keep our country clear of this fire. Ensuring Türkiye’s security and the peace of its 86 million citizens is our greatest priority,” Erdoğan said.
The Turkish leader added that Türkiye supports justice, international law and regional stability, and continues to advocate resolving disputes through dialogue and diplomacy amid the ongoing crisis.
Erdoğan noted that Ankara has undertaken intensive diplomatic engagement since the conflict involving Iran began, revealing that he had spoken with 16 world leaders in efforts to help ease tensions and find a diplomatic solution.
Coordination with NATO
The president said Türkiye is closely monitoring developments in coordination with the NATO and other allies while taking additional steps to strengthen national security.
“We will follow developments in coordination with NATO and our other allies and continue to take further measures to reinforce our security,” he said.
Erdoğan also sought to reassure the public regarding energy supplies, stating that Türkiye faces no immediate risk to its energy security due to previous investments, agreements and precautionary measures taken by the government.
On border logistics, he said operations continue normally at Türkiye’s three customs crossings with Iran and that trade and transit activities have not been disrupted.
The president further highlighted heightened security monitoring of Turkish airspace, noting that F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, airborne early warning aircraft and tanker planes are conducting round-the-clock surveillance against potential threats.
Warning Over Regional Tensions
Erdoğan also issued a warning regarding developments that could strain relations between Ankara and Tehran.
Despite Türkiye’s “sincere warnings,” he said, certain “wrong and provocative steps” continue to be taken that could harm relations between the two neighbours.
“No one should engage in calculations that would cast a shadow over our thousand-year neighbourly and fraternal ties with Iran or wound our nation,” he said.
The Turkish president reiterated that Ankara has made extensive efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding and to avoid further bloodshed across the region.