Israel’s Actions Forcing Iran Into Legitimate Response: Turkey

AFP

Istanbul: Turkey has warned that Israel’s ongoing attacks in Lebanon and Gaza are pushing Iran toward taking “legitimate steps,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in Istanbul on Saturday.

Fidan criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for “constantly opening new fronts in the region” and accused him of attempting to draw Iran into the escalating conflict. He also highlighted the risk of war spreading across the entire region, which should not be underestimated.

Araghchi echoed these concerns, calling the rising tensions in Lebanon “very worrying.” He emphasized Iran’s preference to reduce tensions but warned that the country is prepared for any scenario.

Iran has long supported groups such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose leaders were recently killed by Israel amid the escalating Middle East crisis.

In response to the September 27 killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and the July 31 killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran launched around 200 missiles on October 1.

 Israel has vowed retaliation and, on Wednesday, killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was behind the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any Israeli strikes on Iranian targets will be met with a “painful” response.