Cyprus Times

Erdogan Warns Iran: "Engaging in Wrongful and Provocative Actions"

Published March 9, 2026, 17:06
Erdogan Warns Iran: "Engaging in Wrongful and Provocative Actions"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Iran over its "wrongful and provocative actions" after Turkish NATO air defense systems shot down a second Iranian ballistic missile. Erdogan stated that Turkey has issued the necessary warnings and will continue to take additional measures, including deploying six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets. The Turkish president emphasized that Turkey's primary goal is to stay out of the war in Iran and that the government has been on full alert since February 28th, with the mobilization of all state institutions and continuous monitoring of the situation. Erdogan highlighted the importance of the safety of Turkish citizens, stating that the priority is to ensure that none of the country's 86 million residents are harmed. He expressed confidence that Turkey can "put water on the fire" and prevent escalation of tensions in the region. Finally, Erdogan assured that Turkey is strong and capable in all areas, including diplomacy, defense, and intelligence, and has the ability to repel any kind of attack.