Erdogan hopes unrest in Iran will be resolved diplomatically

(Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the unrest in Iran as a "new test" for Tehran, promising that Turkey will "oppose any initiative" that would draw the region into chaos, AFP reported.

"We believe that, with a policy that prioritizes dialogue and diplomacy, our Iranian brothers, God willing, will get through this period full of pitfalls," Erdogan said yesterday in a televised speech after a weekly cabinet meeting. This was the first time Erdogan spoke about the protests that have engulfed the Islamic Republic, during which thousands of people have been killed.

Before the latest wave of unrest, the Iranian government was already struggling with an economic crisis after years of sanctions and was recovering from the June war against Israel.

"Our neighbor Iran, after Israeli attacks, is now facing a new test targeting its social peace and stability," Erdogan said.

"We are all following the scenarios that are being attempted to be written on the streets," he added.

"With our foreign policy focused on peace and stability, we will continue to oppose any initiative that risks drawing our region into uncertainty."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Thursday that Ankara opposes a military operation against Iran, a strategy that US President Donald Trump has repeatedly discussed as a way to help the Iranian people suppress protests.