UPDATE - Türkiye warns risk of Israel's war spreading across region 'must never be underestimated'

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER, ADDS DETAILS; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Serdar Dincel and Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye on Saturday warned that the risk of Israel's attacks spreading across the region "must never be underestimated."

"We are in midst of tension that could have 'serious' repercussions globally," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told a news conference with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul. Araghci arrived on a two-day visit to Türkiye on Friday.

Fidan highlighted that regional countries and extra-regional actors "have to avoid taking an irreversible step," adding that Türkiye does not want a war in its region. In this regard, he called for the exercise of "common-sense."

Stressing that there is an urgent need for a cease-fire in Gaza in order to reduce the current tension, he said Israel must also end its attacks on Lebanon and cease "all kinds of aggressive behavior and provocations."

He said no aid had been delivered to northern Gaza since Oct. 2, stressing that the conditions in the enclave are worsening.

- Friday's meeting with Hamas delegation

Fidan said Friday's meeting with Hamas delegates discussed efforts to provide more humanitarian aid to Gazans and create international mobilization.

He said that during his meeting with the Hamas delegation, they discussed the issue of unity among the Palestinians and learned about the progress on the matter.

Underlining that different Palestinian factions last met in Cairo, Fidan expressed gratitude to Egypt for supporting [alongside Türkiye] the internal reconciliation process of the Palestinians.

"The better the internal reconciliation process is, the better the Palestinians will ensure their unity, solidarity and stability, the better they will represent their positions, and the more difficult it will be for them to be occupied, expelled and subjected to inhumane treatment," the Turkish diplomat said.

"Therefore, we consider Palestinian internal reconciliation as very important and strategic," he added.

Fidan had met members of Hamas political bureau and also discussed the latest developments in negotiations for a cease-fire agreement in Gaza that would allow for hostage and prisoner exchanges.

The foreign minister said Türkiye has increased humanitarian aid activities since the beginning of the war last October, with the humanitarian aid exceeding 84,000 tons.

Highlighting that before the war about 500 trucks were carrying food and humanitarian supplies to Gaza daily, Fidan said the amount now is only 30 trucks a day. "Since the start of October, we are facing such a scenario. Of course, this is deepening the humanitarian crisis,” he said.

Israel has killed more than 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza since a cross-border incursion by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. The military campaign has turned much of the enclave of 2.3 million people into ruins, leaving most civilians homeless and at risk of famine. It also continues air and ground attacks in Lebanon since the past few weeks, killing more than 1,500 people and displacing more than a million.

- Fight against terrorism

Regarding the fight against terrorism, Fidan said: “Today, the PKK and its extensions such as PJAK are the common enemy of both countries. There is a common understanding between Türkiye and Iran on this issue. We have to transform this common attitude into a common struggle."

Arguing that the two countries must fight against terrorism together in line with the spirit of neighborliness and brotherhood, he said: "We will continue to address this issue at all levels.”

In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, infants, and the elderly. The PJAK is PKK's Iranian offshoot.

- 3+3 South Caucasus format meeting

Referring to the third meeting of the 3+3 South Caucasus Regional Cooperation Platform hosted by Türkiye on Friday, with the participation of the foreign ministers of Iran, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia, Fidan said they had productive talks on the future of the region and wanted to further develop cooperation with an understanding of regional ownership.

Noting that they welcomed the new Iranian government's positive messages on bilateral and regional cooperation, Fidan said Ankara shares Tehran's vision of prioritizing relations with its neighbors.

Contributing to the peace, prosperity and stability of the region is Ankara's main goal, he said.

He said that during his meeting with Araghci, they had the opportunity to discuss the steps and goals to be taken in bilateral relations in detail and that they decided to make Türkiye-Iran High Level Cooperation Council, which was established in 2014, more effective.

- Türkiye ready to put forward necessary political will to increase welfare

Fidan said it is possible to increase the welfare of the peoples through more bilateral trade and underscored that Türkiye is ready to put forward the necessary political will to this end.

Referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's resolve in this regard, Fidan said they want to make the necessary infrastructure investments and turn the region covering the border provinces into a trade basin.

Emphasizing the need to open new border gates with Iran, renovate existing crossings and roads and increase their capacities, the Turkish foreign minister said steps need to be taken in transportation, customs and border security.

- Use of nuclear energy

Fidan said they are not against the use of nuclear energy for peaceful and civilian purposes and believe a solution to Iran's nuclear program can be found through dialogue and negotiations.

- Netanyahu 'constantly opening new fronts in region'

Fidan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "constantly opening new fronts in the region," and "is trying to drag Iran into this war."

"He threatens to hit Iran's oil and nuclear facilities. Israel's aggressive attitude is forcing Iran to take steps towards self-defense," he said.

Earlier this month, Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel, in retaliation for assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel has vowed a response.

Emphasizing that Türkiye and Iran will exist in this region forever, Fidan said they will continue their efforts to improve bilateral relations in every field and increase cooperation on regional issues, and that recent developments have further increased the importance of this cooperation.