Iran, Turkey Warn of War Spillover in West Asia

Iran's Foreign minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian (3rd-L) and his delegation meet with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (2nd-R) in Ankara on Nov. 1, 2023

ANKARA (KI) -- Turkey and Iran on Wednesday called for a regional conference aimed at averting the spread of the Israel-Hamas war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met counterpart Hussein Amir-Abdollahian a day after Iran’s top diplomat met Hamas leaders in Qatar.

Iran has warned that resistance groups could attack the occupying regime of Israel in light of its war on Hamas.
“If the war continues, the conditions won’t remain the same and the resistance will make another surprise move,” he said.
Fidan said Turkey was pushing for an immediate ceasefire because “it is not difficult to predict that this spiral of violence will grow” without a permanent solution to the war.
“We do not want the human tragedy in Gaza to turn into a war that affects the region’s countries,” Fidan said.
The Iranian foreign minister “shared with us that there are strong indications that other armed elements in the region may intervene in the conflict if conditions do not change”, Fidan said.
“We continue working for first a ceasefire, then permanent peace,” Fidan said. “A solution is a must that will be accepted by Palestine and the region’s countries,” he added.
He reiterated that his country was prepared to “take responsibility and be guarantor” in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Amir-Abdollahian said Iran appreciated Turkey’s guarantorship proposal and thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his stance on the issue.
“We assess every proposal that will prevent the conflict from spreading and will reinstate the rights of Palestinian people,” he said.
The Turkish minister was critical of West’s stance on the conflict. He slammed “different standards” for Ukraine and Palestine, stressing that “if we want a fair world, we must always act with integrity and consistency.”
“But the European Union doesn’t want to hear the word ‘ceasefire’ due to its position next to the U.S., which Israel determines,” Fidan argued. The Turkish minister stressed that the West lost moral ground and “exhausted all excuses for oppression” by the Zionist regime.
Pointing to pro-Palestine protests worldwide, including Western countries, he said the international community must now focus on what it can do for permanent peace in Palestine.
“Israel and Western societies should accept this fact: they have to consent to a solution that will satisfy Palestinians. Otherwise, this cycle of violence will continue. A cease-fire and peace are more essential than ever,” he said.
Fidan expressed concern about the illegal siege that deprived Palestinians in Gaza of their most basic rights. “They are being massacred right before the eyes of the world.
 Refugee camps, schools, places of worship and hospitals are unfortunately being targeted. This inhumane siege and attacks are blatant violations of international law,” Fidan said.
“Gazans, whose access to food and medicine are blocked, left without electricity and water, live under heavy bombardment. It is impossible to remain silent in the face of cruelty in Gaza. The rally in Istanbul is the most concrete example that we are standing with the oppressed in Gaza,” he said.
For his part, Amir-Abdollahian said the Zionist regime, the U.S., and “supporters of war crimes will be responsible if the situation gets out of control as long as the war is not prevented.”
“The Zionist regime continues massacring without discrimination, using all prohibited weapons in violation of international law,” he said.
Amir-Abdollahian said consequences would be harsh if attacks in Gaza continued and those endorsing this war, “these crimes” would pay a heavy price.
He said the U.S. directly “commanded” Israel’s attacks and, through CENTCOM, was trying to expand the war.
The Iranian foreign minister also called regional countries to launch a comprehensive boycott against Israel. “They should not send fuel to Israel and cut off ties with the Zionist regime,” he said.
“Israel should turn back from the wrong path it is walking and end the violence. Israel should understand that you cannot maintain security by violence and you cannot get anywhere by shedding more blood and ignoring Palestinians,” Fidan said.
“Israel and some of its allies think that elimination of Palestinian resistance groups, armed elements they see as a threat, will bring a permanent solution, but this will never bring them permanent security,” he underlined.
The pair met to discuss the situation in Palestine, as well as current regional developments and bilateral relations.
Fidan also confirmed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is set to visit Turkey “soon.” Amir-Abdollahian was expected to meet with President Erdoğan later Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the Iranian diplomat was in Qatar to meet Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Foreign Minister Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the political bureau chief of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh. He discussed ways to stop Israel’s attacks in Gaza.
Fidan stated that Amir-Abdollahian told him that there were strong indicators that other resistance fighters in the region would participate in the conflict unless the current circumstances changed.
“It is difficult for to reach an agreement under the current circumstances. Israel always brings its security to the table, but the security of Palestinians should be considered on the same level,” he said.
Amir-Abdollahian said a peace conference involving “Muslim and Arab” countries should be held “as soon as possible”.