Iran has ‘legitimate’ right to self-defence: Turkish President

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Iran has a “legitimate” right to defend itself against Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign, now in its sixth day.

“It is a natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israeli bullying and state terrorism,” the Turkish leader said, a day after calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “the biggest threat to the security of the region.”

The long-range strikes began early Friday, when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to retaliate with missiles and drones, including hypersonic missiles.

Erdogan said the strikes were carried out while Iranian nuclear talks were underway.

“Israel, which has nuclear weapons and does not recognize any international laws, did not wait for the talks to end but carried out a terrorist act without waiting for the outcome,” he added.

Netanyahu’s office said Iran said at least 224 people had been killed in the Israeli strikes, which targeted nuclear and military facilities, while Iranian fire on Israel killed at least 24 people and wounded hundreds.

Erdogan said, “We are closely following Israel’s terrorist attacks on Iran. All our institutions are on high alert for the possible impact of these attacks on Turkey.”

He said we are preparing for all scenarios.

“No one should dare to test us.”

On Monday, Erdogan said he had ordered the defense industry to increase production of medium- and long-range missiles to “increase its level of deterrence” in light of the air war between Israel and Iran.