Netanyahu Says Iran Behind Armed Drone Intercepted by Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at the Hakirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at the Hakirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)
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Netanyahu Says Iran Behind Armed Drone Intercepted by Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at the Hakirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gestures as he shows a slideshow during a briefing to ambassadors to Israel at the Hakirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday Iran was behind an armed drone that Israel intercepted after entering its airspace this week.

Netanyahu said during a meeting with visiting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Tel Aviv that “Iran sent an armed drone to Israel from Iraq or from Syria” that crossed into Israel from Jordanian airspace before it was intercepted.

Netanyahu's remarks came as Israel unleashed another wave of deadly airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Thursday. Meanwhile, Hamas movement fired more rockets, even as expectations rose that a cease-fire could be coming.

Netanyahu told Maas that “while we’re fighting on various fronts, the true backer of much of this aggression is Iran,” pointing to its support for Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.



Türkiye, Iran Warn of Israel’s Efforts to Expand Conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
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Türkiye, Iran Warn of Israel’s Efforts to Expand Conflict

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi during a joint press conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, October 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

Türkiye and Iran have warned that Israel's attempts to spark conflict in the region could lead to serious global consequences.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Saturday Israel’s efforts to spread war should not be underestimated.

At a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul, Fidan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to create new fronts and drag Iran into the conflict.

Fidan warned that Israel plans to target vital infrastructure in Iran, especially in energy and oil, which could provoke a strong reaction from Tehran.

He stressed that the risk of war spreading throughout the region should not be underestimated, as it could have serious global consequences.

“Türkiye does not want war in our region,” he said during a meeting with Araghchi, where they discussed bilateral relations and regional threats.

Araghchi echoed these concerns, accusing Israel of sparking conflict through its attacks in Gaza and Lebanon.

He called the escalation a serious threat.

“We are for peace, but we are prepared for any scenario,” affirmed the top Iranian diplomat.

He condemned Israel’s actions, saying the government does not respect boundaries in its war crimes and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

Araghchi also condemned the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, insisting that such actions will not deter the resistance. He appreciated Türkiye’s support for the Palestinian people and its opposition to Israel’s actions.

The Iranian minister also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with Türkiye.

“We see no limits to improving our relations with Türkiye,” he said, adding that both countries, with their rich histories, will enhance their friendship and cooperation.

In his discussions with Fidan, Araghchi focused on deepening collaboration in trade, joint investments, energy, counter-terrorism, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

He also mentioned the recent 3+3 regional cooperation meeting in Istanbul, which included the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.

Araghchi described the meeting as constructive, emphasizing peace and stability in the region.

The ministers agreed that foreign powers complicate regional issues and stressed the need for joint efforts to boost economic development.

According to Iranian news agency Nour News, Araghchi stated that Iran believes a two-state solution will not achieve lasting peace, asserting that “the only solution is a single Palestinian state on Palestinian territory.”