ISTANBUL 

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhurman said Saturday that US and Israeli strikes against Iran have increased risks to lasting peace in the region.

In a statement shared on his US social media company Facebook, Erhurman said the region and the world urgently need an order “in which rules and international law prevail, and where stability and lasting peace are established through diplomacy and on a legal foundation.”

He said the operations carried out by the US and Israel against Iran have “further increased the risks to lasting peace and stability.”

Speaking on behalf of what he described as the peace-loving Turkish Cypriot people, Erhurman said solutions must be found as soon as possible “through diplomacy and on a legal basis,” before more civilians, including children, lose their lives.

Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran early Saturday, citing alleged threats posed by the “Iranian regime.” Video statements were released by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The attacks came as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended Thursday.

Israel also initiated a 12-day war on Iran last June, with the US joining later and bombing three Iranian nuclear sites.