Erdogan's Sense of Danger from the Imminent Conflict Between Turkiye and Israel

The Zionist regime's attack on Iran and the use of air force superiority for this purpose have increased Türkiye's concerns about an imminent conflict with Israel.

News ID: 86419

Date: 07 July 2025 - 13:48

TEHRAN (Defapress) - The Financial Times recently published a report on the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel, suggesting the possibility of military conflict between the two countries following Israel’s 12-day offensive against Iran. The report, which has sparked widespread reactions in diplomatic circles and on social media platforms like X, highlights Israel’s efforts to assert a dominant role in the region and maintain aerial superiority over neighboring states.

Citing regional diplomats and analysts, the newspaper notes that Israel’s offensive against Iran has significantly heightened Turkey’s strategic concerns. Turkey, which sees itself as a key regional power, now faces a new challenge: Israel’s growing military dominance and expanding influence in sensitive areas, particularly northern Syria. Israel’s military cooperation with Kurdish forces in the region, which Turkey considers terrorist groups and a direct threat to its national security, has become a major point of contention.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently described the mood in Ankara as follows: “There is no Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, Yemeni, or Iranian problem, there is clearly an Israeli problem.” This statement reflects Turkey’s shifting stance toward Israel, from a former ally to a rival, and now to an outright adversary. For Turkey, which has had strained relations with Israel in recent years, this marks a critical red flag.

Turkey, with its Islamist and Turkish nationalist outlook, seeks to expand its influence on the international stage, which starkly contrasts with Israel’s uncompromising stance on military dominance over Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. These opposing views leave little room for compromise.

According to the Financial Times, tensions peaked in April when Israel bombed a site in Syria where Turkey had planned to establish a military base. Although a military hotline between the two countries is now operational, broader diplomatic engagement has stalled. Ankara has also drawn lessons from the Israel-Iran conflict and is working to strengthen its air defense systems and aerial superiority.

In line with Turkey’s military buildup, AFP reported that President Erdoğan, in a recent speech, expressed hope for acquiring U.S. F-35 fighter jets. This comes after Turkey was barred from receiving the jets in 2019 due to its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system, which even led to U.S. sanctions in 2020. However, with Trump’s potential return to power, Erdoğan hopes to regain access to the F-35s. Speculations suggest that Trump may condition the delivery of these jets on the normalization of Turkey-Israel relations.

Nevertheless, in the absence of effective diplomatic mediation, the current tensions could quickly spiral out of control, pushing the region toward a broader conflict and potentially dragging Turkey, as a powerful Islamic nation, into direct military confrontation with the Zionist regime.