Erdogan: Iran Crisis Solidified Turkey's Status as a Great Power

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey and leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Parti), detailed Ankara's diplomatic achievements during the recent Iran crisis at the party's parliamentary group meeting today, June 24, 2026. Emphasizing that the events of the past months were a great test for regional powers, he stated that Turkey emerged from this crisis with pride, showing everyone that it is a powerful "great state" [1].

Solidifying Turkey's Position on the Regional Diplomatic Chessboard In his remarks, Erdogan noted that by adopting a policy based on rationality and justice, Turkey managed to stay away from the "ring of fire" of conflicts. He pointed out that while the region faced the risk of a full-scale war, Ankara's active diplomacy, alongside countries like Qatar and Pakistan, played a vital role in reaching a peace memorandum between Iran and the United States [2][3]. According to him, the high capacity of Turkey's foreign policy reached its peak during this period, preventing a human catastrophe on the eastern borders.

Harsh Criticism of Efforts to Sabotage the Peace Agreement In another part of his speech, the Turkish President strongly criticized Israeli policies, calling it a "massacre network" that has turned terror and occupation into state policy. Erdogan claimed that Tel Aviv has done everything in its power over the past 10 days to shake the consensus achieved for peace [2]. He emphasized that peace in the region will be established not by Israel's will, but despite the regime's sabotage and through the will of responsible powers [1].

Advantages of the Presidential System in Crisis Management Erdogan also referred to the domestic aspects of managing this crisis, stating that the "Presidential System of Government" provided Turkey with asymmetrical advantages in the rapid and precise management of international crises. He believes that the coordination between diplomatic and security institutions under this structure allowed Turkey to navigate one of the most dangerous conflicts since World War II without the slightest harm [1][3].

Outlook for Lasting Peace and the Fight Against Terrorism Finally, Erdogan touched upon domestic issues, including finalizing the legal framework for a "Terror-free Turkey," promising that the Turkish nation will breathe a sigh of relief after half a century once the terrorism file is closed. He stressed that Turkey will continue its support for permanent solutions to the Iran crisis and the full reopening of regional trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, to restore economic stability to global markets [1][2].