ANKARA

Türkiye warned that escalating hostilities in the Middle East risk spreading further across the region amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iran, urging a return to diplomacy, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk said that the conflict, which began with Israeli and US strikes on Iran and intensified after Iran targeted third countries, continues to pose a risk of broader regional war.

“All disputes must be resolved on the basis of international law, through dialogue and diplomacy,” Akturk said. “Our determined stance and efforts in this direction continue. We hope that conflicts harming the peace and stability of our region will be brought to an end as soon as possible.”

Akturk also condemned Israel’s ongoing military actions across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, Syria and the Palestinian territories.

“Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, which constitute violations of international law and humanitarian law, have led to the deaths of three UN peacekeeping personnel,” he said, adding: “Israel is also continuing to violate Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through its attacks in the south of the country, while maintaining illegal settlement activities in the West Bank and attacks targeting Gaza.”

He called on the international community to take action.

“In order to prevent further damage to the legitimacy of the international system and trust in international law, we once again call on the entire international community, especially the UN, to assume responsibility in preventing Israel’s aggression,” Akturk said.

Separately, Akturk said Chief of the General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu is scheduled to receive the commander of the Libyan Land Forces later on Thursday.