Turkish President Erdogan calls for dialogue to resolve Iran’s protests, pledging to oppose any regional instability, in his first comments on the crisis.
ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described the unrest in Iran as a “new test” for Tehran, pledging Turkey would “stand against any initiative” that would drag the region into chaos.
He made the remarks in his first public comments on the protests gripping the Islamic republic.
“We believe that, with a … policy prioritising dialogue and diplomacy, our Iranian brothers will, God willing, get through this trap-filled period,” Erdogan said in a televised speech.
He stated that Turkey is watching the scenarios being attempted through the streets.
“Our neighbour Iran, following the Israeli attacks, is now facing a new test that targets its social peace and stability,” he added.
Erdogan affirmed that with a foreign policy centred on peace, Turkey will stand against any initiative risking regional uncertainty.
The protests have seen thousands of people killed.
Iran was already battling an economic crisis from years of sanctions before the latest unrest, and was recovering from the June war against Israel.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said last Thursday that Ankara opposed a military operation against Iran.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly discussed such a strategy as a way of aiding the Iranian people over the crackdown.
