Türkiye navigating Mideast conflict cautiously, prudently, not falling into traps: President

Türkiye is navigating the current Mideast conflict cautiously and prudently, while upholding brotherhood and neighborly relations, Anadolu Agency reports citing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“We are not falling into traps set for us,” Erdogan said at a speech following a Cabinet meeting in Ankara, stressing that Türkiye is “determined to steer clear of the ring of fire.”

Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye, aware of its stature, stands out in its region and globally through its stance, discourse, and actions.

"Türkiye is one of the rare countries that dares to call right 'right' and wrong 'wrong,'" he said, noting that following "the attacks launched on Feb. 28 against our neighbor Iran under Israel's pressure, this characteristic of our country has been discussed more widely."

He emphasized that Türkiye is among the leading countries praised for "correctly reading and analyzing from day one this process that has engulfed our region in blood and gunpowder."

Erdogan said Türkiye has been well prepared for the evolving global environment of conflict and war, highlighting steps to strengthen energy supply security through diversification and projects aimed at bringing domestic resources into use, while also reinforcing infrastructure, transportation, and financial resilience against external shocks.

Emphasizing growing international engagement, he said Türkiye has expanded cooperation mechanisms with dozens of countries and strengthened trade and diplomatic ties, particularly across Africa and Latin America.

He added that the country has also boosted its industrial capacity by establishing new organized industrial zones and technoparks.

Despite "hidden and open embargoes," Erdogan said Türkiye has reached a level of self-sufficiency in many fields, particularly in defense, noting that the country has achieved significant progress with domestic capabilities "from unmanned aerial vehicles to missiles and rockets, from electronic warfare systems to air defense capabilities."

He also underscored a shift in Türkiye's security doctrine, saying Ankara has expanded its security perimeter beyond its borders, describing it as "a transformation in our country's security paradigm."

Erdogan said the global system has been undergoing a deep transformation since the 2008 financial crisis, intensifying competition among actors across four main axes.

"The international system is essentially seeking answers to key questions: Who will shape technology? Who will control data and artificial intelligence? Who will dominate production, supply, and consumption chains? Who will control energy resources and trade routes? In a world evolving toward multipolarity, who will be the new poles?" he said.

He added that the region has once again become the main arena of competition, similar to a century ago, as traditional alliances weaken and new ones emerge among countries facing similar threats.

Highlighting Türkiye's achievements in transportation, Erdogan said the country's infrastructure has enabled uninterrupted rail travel from London to China.

"If it is now possible to travel by uninterrupted rail from London to China, this is thanks to the railways, bridges, and tunnels we have built in our country," he said.

Erdogan underlined that Türkiye will continue to work with all its strength, all its means, and all the tools at its disposal to establish peace, justice, and stability.