Turkey has expressed its “deep concern” in the wake of the US surprise attack on Iran’s main nuclear facilities, warning that the latest actions have significantly increased the risk of the Middle East conflict escalating into a global war and urging a diplomatic solution to the escalation of the Iran-Israel war.
“As Türkiye, we have consistently warned about the risk of the conflict, sparked by Israeli aggression, spreading throughout the region and destabilizing the security environment. The US attack carried out today (22 June) on Iran’s nuclear facilities has elevated that risk to its highest level,” said a statement released by the Turkish foreign ministry in the past few hours.
“Türkiye is deeply concerned about the potential consequences of the US attack on the nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The current developments could escalate the regional conflict into a global one. We do not want to see this catastrophic scenario materialize. We call on all relevant parties to act responsibly, to cease the attacks immediately, and to refrain from actions that could lead to further loss of life and destruction. The only way to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program is through negotiations. We call on the international community to support efforts aimed at finding a diplomatic solution between the parties,” the statement from Ankara concluded.
Iran warns of “dangerous consequences” after “brutal” attack
The urgent appeal by the Turkish foreign ministry came shortly after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was precisely in Istanbul on Sunday for a summit of foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, condemned the ‘brutal’ US attack on Iran’s civilian nuclear facilities and threatened severe consequences.
“This is a direct attack on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a UN member state,” Araghchi said in a press appearance. “The United States is fully responsible for the consequences of this hostile and illegal behaviour,” he said, speaking about the possible retaliation that the Islamic Republic of Iran could carry out. “Washington’s warmongering and lawless administration are solely and fully responsible for the dangerous consequences and far-reaching implications of its act of aggression,” the Iranian foreign minister insisted.
Trump: “We have completely obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities“
In a televised appearance from the White House, US President Donald Trump – who only days ago had said he would take “two weeks” to make a decision on whether to attack Iran – confirmed the bombing of Iran’s main nuclear facilities and said it had ‘totally obliterated’ them, warning of further strikes if Iran does not quickly agree to a peace deal. “Iran must now make peace,” insisted Trump, whom Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to congratulate for using the “awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history“.
Trump described the bombing raids during the operation – dubbed ‘Midnight Hammer’ – as “very successful” and said that all planes had returned safely to their bases. As he explained, the strikes targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow – an underground facility built under the mountains that houses some 3,000 uranium centrifuges– but also Natanz and Isfahan. Fordow posed a challenge to the capabilities of Israel, which lacks the military equipment to attack targets built so deep underground.
While the US President did not mention the type of munitions or aircraft used in the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, all indications point to the use of the GBU-57, a 13.6 tonne heavy bunker buster bomb capable of penetrating up to 60 metres underground before exploding. The only aircraft capable of carrying a GBU-57 is the US B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, which is designed to use conventional and nuclear bombs and can carry up to two GBU-57 bombs, also capable of flying 10,000 kilometres without refuelling.
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
