Massive US Attack on Iran; Erdogan Praises Trump’s “Firm Stance”

Unprecedented Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz In the early hours of July 8, 2026, the Middle East once again witnessed massive explosions. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) officially announced that in a large-scale retaliatory operation, it targeted more than 80 military targets inside Iranian territory [1]. These attacks, described as the largest wave of military operations in recent months, included the bombing of air defense systems, command and control centers, coastal radars, and more than 60 speedboats belonging to the Revolutionary Guard near the Strait of Hormuz [2]. Local reports indicate heavy explosions on Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, and Sirik.

The End of the Ceasefire According to Donald Trump These attacks began just as US President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara to attend the NATO summit. Upon arrival in the Turkish capital, Trump declared in blunt and sharp remarks that the temporary ceasefire agreement with Iran is "over" [3]. He described Iranian leaders as "sick people" and called negotiating with them a "waste of time." Trump emphasized that the United States will no longer allow international shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz to be endangered by Iranian forces and announced the cancellation of Iranian oil sanction waivers as part of this new pressure [2].

Erdogan's Reaction; Diplomacy in the Shadow of Bombing The controversial point of this event was the reaction of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While American bombers were returning from operations against Turkey's eastern neighbor, Erdogan completely refrained from mentioning these attacks in his opening speech at the NATO summit in Ankara [4]. Instead, he praised Donald Trump's policies in a sincere tone, saying: "I sincerely appreciate the firm and steady stance that my friend, Mr. Trump, has taken regarding the Iran crisis" [4]. These statements were made while independent Turkish media, including "Sol Haber," accused Erdogan of "deliberately ignoring" the war on the country's borders.

NATO Support and Readiness for Iran's Response NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also supported the US military actions during the summit, calling them "absolutely necessary" to protect freedom of navigation [3]. Meanwhile, Tehran condemned the attacks, calling them a clear violation of previous understandings and warned that it would give a "crushing" response to these aggressions [1]. Reports indicate that Iranian forces had previously carried out attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, indicating a potential expansion of the war's dimensions in the coming days [2].