Erdogan says Turkey pushing diplomacy on Iran tensions

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Turkey is making “necessary appeals and initiatives” to reduce tensions, extend the ceasefire, and continue talks over US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

“The Israeli government, which is known to be unhappy with the ceasefire process, must not be allowed to sabotage it,” Erdogan said during his Justice and Development (AK) Party parliamentary group meeting.

“Negotiations cannot be held with clenched fists. Weapons must not be allowed to speak again instead of words. The window of opportunity opened by the ceasefire must be utilized,” he said.

Regarding regional stability, he said: “If there is to be peace in our region, it will be despite the Zionist regime. If stability is achieved, it will again be despite the Israeli government.”