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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged the United States and Iran on Friday to guard against provocations by Israel and to use their current ceasefire as a springboard for lasting peace, amid a conflict that has killed thousands and destabilized the Middle East.
Speaking at the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan said: "We must not allow weapons to again replace words." He added that "the shortest path to peace is dialogue and diplomacy," and described peace as "not a one-winged bird." His remarks, reported by Reuters and carried in international outlets including the South China Morning Post and TASS, came as Washington and Tehran weighed next steps after a temporary halt in fighting.
Coverage comparison
The Turkish president's call was covered by multiple outlets, each with slightly different emphases. The South China Morning Post highlighted Erdogan's warning against Israeli provocations and noted that the conflict, which began with a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, has raised fears of a major oil shock by disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. TASS, the Russian state news agency, stressed Erdogan's warning about Israel's attempts to derail negotiations and his praise for Pakistan's role in brokering the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Dawn, Pakistan's leading English-language daily, focused on the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Erdogan on the sidelines of the forum, emphasizing Pakistan's diplomatic efforts and the two leaders' shared commitment to regional peace.
Key claims
- Erdogan's call for vigilance: Erdogan stressed the need to closely monitor Israel's attempts to derail the negotiation process, warning that "we must be prepared and vigilant against Israel's attempts to derail the negotiation process" (TASS). This characterization of Israel as a potential spoiler was reported by TASS and the South China Morning Post, though neither source provided independent verification of specific Israeli actions.
- Ceasefire initiative: A 15-day ceasefire was announced at the initiative of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to TASS and Dawn. Erdogan welcomed the truce in a conflict he described as "senseless and extremely costly," and urged the parties to use the window of opportunity effectively.
- Pakistan's mediation role: Pakistan played a role in mediating the conflict between the US and Iran. Dawn reported that PM Sharif shared updates on efforts to extend the ceasefire and resume talks, and that Erdogan thanked him for Pakistan's peace efforts. This claim is supported by multiple sources, though the exact nature and extent of Pakistan's role remain unclear.
- Conflict impact: The US-Israeli attack on Iran, which began on February 28, has killed thousands and destabilized the Middle East, according to the South China Morning Post. This figure was not independently verified by other sources. The conflict has also raised fears of major oil supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for about a quarter of global seaborne oil trade.
Perspectives
- Turkish perspective: Erdogan positions Turkey as a potential facilitator in the crisis, emphasizing dialogue and diplomacy while warning against Israeli provocations. He also highlighted the need for reforming the international system, arguing that the UN Security Council's structure is exclusionary and incapable of resolving conflicts.
- Pakistani perspective: Dawn's coverage underscores Pakistan's proactive diplomatic role, with PM Sharif engaging with Erdogan and other world leaders to promote dialogue. The meeting was described as "warm and cordial," and both leaders expressed satisfaction with bilateral ties, agreeing to convene the eighth High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara later this year.
- US and Iran: Direct statements from Washington or Tehran were not included in the available reporting. Both are reportedly weighing next steps after the temporary halt in fighting, but their positions on the ceasefire and negotiations remain unclear.