Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as broader regional issues and bilateral relations.

During the conversation, Erdoğan warned that the spiral of violence triggered by Israeli attacks on Iran poses a serious threat to the security and stability of the entire region. He emphasized that the Middle East cannot withstand another major conflict and highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis through diplomatic engagement.

“The region is unable to endure another war,” Erdoğan said, stressing the urgency of de-escalation.

Erdoğan also underscored the importance of reviving diplomatic efforts to address the longstanding nuclear dispute with Iran. He called for a return to the negotiating table as the only viable path forward.

In addition, Erdoğan cautioned against allowing the current crisis to distract from the ongoing situation in Gaza. He warned that neglecting Gaza could pave the way for further Israeli encroachment in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem (al-Quds), raising alarm over the potential for broader occupation and instability.

The leaders also discussed the importance of maintaining dialogue and cooperation between Türkiye and the UAE, particularly in the face of rising regional challenges.

The phone call comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to contain the fallout from the latest escalation between Israel and Iran, amid growing fears of a regional conflict. (ILKHA)