Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that prolonged military involvement in Iran could trigger serious instability, affecting both regional and global security.
In a phone call on Saturday, Erdogan highlighted Ankara’s commitment to peace efforts and dialogue initiatives amid escalating attacks by the United States and Israel on Tehran.
“Turkey is closely monitoring the developments that began with attacks on Iran. If this intervention continues, it could have a major impact on regional and global stability,” Erdogan told Starmer, according to a statement from Turkey’s Directorate of Communications.
He stressed that steps can still be taken to build a platform for dialogue, reaffirming Ankara’s ongoing focus on peace despite rising tensions.
The discussion also covered broader regional issues and bilateral relations. Erdogan emphasised Turkey’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the UK across multiple sectors, particularly the defence industry.
According to the official statement, Erdogan highlighted plans to continue reinforcing strategic collaboration, reflecting the growing importance of UK-Turkey relations in today’s volatile geopolitical landscape.
As a key NATO member, Turkey maintains an independent foreign policy stance while navigating regional crises.
The warning to Starmer comes as Turkey positions itself as a potential mediator capable of bridging divides among conflicting parties. Ankara’s emphasis on “steps that can still be taken to build a platform for dialogue” underlines its long-term goal of facilitating negotiations in regional conflicts.
Turkey continues to maintain diplomatic channels with both Tehran and Western capitals, putting it in a unique position to voice concerns and explore potential conflict resolution. This phone call represents another move in Ankara’s efforts to shape the international response to the crisis while safeguarding its national interests amid rising instability on its eastern borders.
