Turkiye navigating Mideast conflict cautiously, prudently, not falling into traps: Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkiye navigated the Middle East conflict cautiously and prudently while upholding brotherly and neighbourly relations. “We are not falling into traps set for us,” Erdogan said in a speech following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, stressing that Turkiye was “determined to steer clear of the ring of fire”. "The past 25 days have shown that while this is Israel’s war, the world is paying the price; it is [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s war for survival, but eight billion people are bearing the cost,” he said. Read More: Trump approved Iran operation after Netanyahu argued for joint killing of Khamenei “The massacre network led by Netanyahu must be stopped immediately,” for the sake of regional peace and humanity, said Erdogan, stressing that every country must take a bold and proactive stance. “Israel’s uncompromising, maximalist, and radical stance must not be allowed to undermine diplomatic solutions,” he said. Regional developments The US and Israel have carried out an air offensive on Iran since February 28, so far killing over 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties, damaging infrastructure, and disrupting global markets and aviation. Also Read: US-Israeli war on Iran is ‘breach of international law’ On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a five-day halt to strikes on Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, citing what he described as “very good and productive” talks with Tehran over the weekend. Iranian officials rejected claims of talks, calling them "fake news," while its Foreign Ministry admitted receiving messages from “friendly countries” that it said indicated US requests for talks.