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.”



ICC Warrants are Binding, EU Cannot Pick and Choose, Borrell Says

23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)
23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)
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ICC Warrants are Binding, EU Cannot Pick and Choose, Borrell Says

23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)
23 May 2023, Israel, Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement in the Knesset. (dpa)

European Union governments cannot pick and choose whether to execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against two Israeli leaders and a Hamas commander, the EU's foreign policy chief said on Saturday.

The ICC issued the warrants on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged crimes against humanity.

All EU member states are signatories to the ICC's founding treaty, called the Rome Statute.

Several EU states have said they will meet their commitments under the statute if needed, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited Netanyahu to visit his country, assuring him he would face no risks if he did so.

"The states that signed the Rome convention are obliged to implement the decision of the court. It's not optional," Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said during a visit to Cyprus for a workshop of Israeli and Palestinian peace activists.

Those same obligations were also binding on countries aspiring to join the EU, he said.

"It would be very funny that the newcomers have an obligation that current members don't fulfil," he told Reuters.

The United States rejected the ICC's decision and Israel said the ICC move was antisemitic.

"Every time someone disagrees with the policy of one Israeli government - (they are) being accused of antisemitism," said Borrell, whose term as EU foreign policy chief ends this month.

"I have the right to criticize the decisions of the Israeli government, be it Mr Netanyahu or someone else, without being accused of antisemitism. This is not acceptable. That's enough."

Israel's 13-month campaign in Gaza has killed about 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly all the enclave's population while creating a humanitarian crisis, Gaza officials say.

In their decision, the ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza".

The warrant for Masri lists charges of mass killings during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Israel says it has killed Masri.