Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asserted on Tuesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bore primary responsibility for Iran’s recent direct assault on Israel, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel and its leadership, stated in televised remarks, “Netanyahu and his administration are the main instigators of the tension that gripped us on the evening of April 13.”
He criticized those who remained silent for months regarding Israel’s aggressive stance, contrasting their swift condemnation of Iran’s response. Erdogan emphasized, “But it is Netanyahu himself who should be the first to be condemned.”
Pointing to Israel’s April 1 attack on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, Erdogan contended that this action violated international law and was the tipping point leading to the recent escalation.
Turkey, on Sunday, called for de-escalation in the Middle East, warning of the potential for triggering a regional conflict in the aftermath of Iran’s retaliatory strike against Israel.
Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles targeting Israel on Saturday night, in response to Israel’s bombing of the consular section of its embassy in Damascus. However, Israel and its allies managed to intercept almost all of the projectiles.
