Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss Türkiye-U.S. bilateral relations, the ongoing Gaza conflict, and other regional and global developments, according to a statement from the Turkish presidency.

During the call, President Erdoğan criticized the Israeli administration under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Israel shows no intention of pursuing ceasefire or peace.

He expressed deep disappointment over recent events at the U.S. House of Representatives and condemned the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh, which he believes undermines ceasefire efforts and risks expanding the conflict in Gaza to the entire region.

Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to improving relations with the United States in all areas. President Biden, in response, thanked Erdoğan for facilitating a smooth prisoner exchange and acknowledged Türkiye’s efforts in this regard. (ILKHA)