Key facts
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Israel must not be allowed to "dynamite" a U.S.-Iran peace deal.
- Erdogan stated that Middle East peace efforts require the contributions of regional countries.
- Turkey has accused Israel of attempting to undermine the U.S.-Iran deal.
- Erdogan condemned Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
- Turkey and Pakistan aim to deepen cooperation in energy, transport, critical minerals, IT, and defense.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan asserted on Saturday that Middle East peace initiatives cannot succeed without regional support and that Israel must not be permitted to disrupt a U.S.-Iran deal. Speaking in Istanbul alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan emphasized that lasting solutions must stem from the will and contributions of regional nations.
Erdogan accused Israel of actively trying to undermine the U.S.-Iran agreement, which he noted was mediated by Pakistan. He condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, warning that the "current war-addicted Israeli government" should not be allowed to escalate tensions further in the region.
Separately, Erdogan indicated that Turkey seeks to enhance cooperation with Pakistan across various sectors, including energy, transport, critical minerals, information technology, and defense, with a goal of reaching $5 billion in bilateral trade. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar highlighted Turkish firms' interest in contributing to Pakistani projects and sharing energy sector expertise.