Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday described the unrest in Iran as a "new test" for Tehran, pledging Türkiye would "stand against any initiative" that would drag the region into chaos.
"We believe that, with a ... policy prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy, our Iranian brothers will, God willing, get through this trap-filled period," Erdogan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting.
That was the first time Erdogan spoke about the protests gripping the country, during which thousands of people have been killed.
Before the latest bout of unrest, the Iranian government was already battling an economic crisis after years of sanctions, as well as recovering from the June war against Israel.
"Our neighbor Iran, following the Israeli attacks, is now facing a new test that targets its social peace and stability," Erdogan said.
"We are all watching the scenarios that are being attempted to be written through the streets," he added.
"With our foreign policy centered on peace and stability, we will continue to stand against any initiative that risks dragging our region into uncertainty."
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday said Ankara opposed a military operation against Iran, a strategy US President Donald Trump has repeatedly discussed as a way of aiding the Iranian people over the crackdown on protests.
