Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that Iran has every legal and moral right to respond to Israeli attacks, accusing the Israeli government of engaging in “banditry and state terrorism.”
Speaking at a parliamentary group meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdogan condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, which began on Friday under claims that Tehran is close to acquiring a nuclear weapon. Iran has denied the accusations and launched drone and missile strikes in retaliation.
“It is entirely natural, legitimate, and within the bounds of international law for Iran to defend itself from Israel’s acts of aggression,” Erdogan stated, sharply criticizing Israel’s leadership.
He went further, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of crimes worse than those committed by Adolf Hitler. “Netanyahu has long surpassed Hitler when it comes to genocide,” Erdogan claimed, referencing the continued Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The Turkish leader also blasted the international community for its inaction, accusing both supporters of Israel and those who remain silent of sharing responsibility for the deaths of civilians. “The blood of innocent people – of children, babies, and civilians – stains not only those who commit these crimes but also those who watch silently,” he said.
Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye is doing everything in its power to oppose what he described as Israel’s “inhumane aggression” across multiple fronts, including Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and now Iran. He underscored that stopping Israeli military actions is “a moral imperative for all humanity.”
He added that Ankara is closely monitoring developments and is prepared for “any negative outcome or escalation,” vowing to protect Türkiye’s national interests and regional stability.
Meanwhile, Russia has condemned Israel’s military operation, warning that attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities could lead to catastrophic consequences. Moscow described the strikes as illegal and in violation of international norms.
In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced strong support for Israel, demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and claiming American forces have “total control of the skies” over Iranian territory. Trump also suggested that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is an “easy target,” though he stated there were no immediate plans to eliminate him.
