The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, warned that Ankara “will show no negligence in protecting the country’s security,” following the launch of a missile from Iran toward Turkey. He emphasized that the government is taking all necessary measures in coordination with its allies and is closely monitoring developments.

The Turkish president sent a message that Ankara is fully prepared to face the risks arising from regional escalation and that the government’s priority is the protection of the country’s security and its citizens.

“Missiles and kamikaze drones sent by Iran to other countries in the region increase the risk of spreading the conflict over a much larger area. There will be no negligence or hesitation regarding the security of our borders and airspace. In the event that a threat arises to our country’s security, we take all necessary measures in coordination with our allies,” he stressed, while sending a new message to Tehran.

“Yesterday’s events demonstrated how sensitive the situation is. We warned that a similar incident must not be repeated. We emphasized the importance of recognizing the value of Turkey’s friendship,” he conveyed.

Erdogan stated that Turkey seeks peace in the region, while underlining that the government will take all necessary measures to protect the country and its people.

“It is evident that from day one, as a country and a nation, we have strived for peace, and no one should adopt a stance that harms relations of neighborliness and brotherhood.

Our citizens must be assured that our government, as it did during the war between Russia and Ukraine, now entering its fifth year, is doing everything necessary with its experienced and capable personnel to protect our country and nation from every danger.

We follow a sensitive policy centered on the security of our 86 million citizens. We hope to maintain this stance until the end.”

Concerns over regional escalation
Erdogan expressed concern about the tension that has arisen after airstrikes on Iran, claiming that the situation has dramatically worsened the security environment in the broader region.

“The international community, led by the Western world, once again merely observes the events. The airstrikes on our neighboring country, Iran, have led to a terrifying escalation of tensions in the region.

Hundreds of civilians, including innocent children, have lost their lives,” he noted.

Diplomatic contacts with leaders
At the same time, the Turkish president said that Ankara continues intensive diplomatic contacts with international leaders to de-escalate the regional tension.

“Our phone conversations continue nonstop. Today, we spoke with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Enver Ibrahim, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

I expressed to my brother Ilham our sorrow for today’s attack targeting the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and we condemned the attack.”

Ankara’s multidimensional diplomacy
Erdoğan reiterated that Turkey will continue to pursue multidimensional diplomacy to prevent further bloodshed.

“We will continue the multidimensional diplomacy we practice, aiming to prevent more blood from being spilled in our region, to prevent the loss of more innocent lives, and to avoid escalation to a point of no return.

No one should worry—God willing, Turkey will emerge successfully from this regional turmoil.”