The Turkish intelligence chief warns Washington against joint attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.
Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), warned against renewed military attacks on Iran by American or Israeli forces, stressing that a diplomatic resolution to the issue offered a "fair" way forward for both sides.
Speaking at a conference in Ankara organized by the Center for Middle East Studies (ORSAM) and the University of Oxford, Kalin stressed that diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran are making tangible progress, but warned that further military escalation could trigger another regional spiral.
"The issue of Iran remains very sensitive for everyone - for the entire region. We are trying very hard these days to stop another attack on Iran by the US or the US in conjunction with Israel," Kalin stated, according to operational transcripts.
The intelligence chief revealed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had personally conveyed Ankara's position directly to US President Donald Trump during a phone call two days earlier, urging the White House to refrain from dispatching orders.
"Our president spoke to President Trump just two days ago about this issue, and he urged him not to strike again," Kalin added. "It will complicate matters because if the US itself or together with Israel attacks Iran again, we will return to this vicious circle. ".