ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called for an end to the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran before it escalates and engulfs the region, stressing that a diplomatic solution remains "completely possible" if given a chance.

Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye is "patiently continuing efforts to return to the negotiating table and revive diplomacy."

He added that, given the sensitivity of the situation, Türkiye is speaking cautiously and taking careful measures to protect itself from the conflicts around it.

The president also emphasized that Türkiye is not indifferent to crises in the region and does not turn its back on friends and brothers in times of need.

He said Ankara is taking the necessary measures against the “bloody scenarios that are being staged in our region, particularly sectarian strife.”

Erdogan mentioned that Türkiye has not segregated the people of the region on the basis of sect or ethnicity and never will.

“We reject distinctions based on race, sect, religion, language, or origin. We do not have a religion called ‘Sunni Islam’ or ‘Shia Islam.’ We have only one religion, and that is Islam,” he said.