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3. Erdogan Warns of Regional Spillover Risk as War Enters Second Month

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Wednesday that the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel risks expanding into a broader regional conflict, as tensions continue to escalate across multiple fronts.

“We are facing the danger of the war spreading and widening,” Erdoğan said during a parliamentary address in Ankara, signaling growing concern in Turkey over the trajectory of the conflict.

Turkey Seeks to Stay Out of the Conflict

Erdoğan stressed that Ankara’s priority remains shielding the country from the direct consequences of the war. He said the government is determined to ensure that Turkey navigates the current phase “without harm,” underlining efforts to keep the country outside the scope of ongoing hostilities.

The remarks reflect a delicate balancing act for Turkey, a NATO member with regional ambitions, as it attempts to avoid direct involvement while remaining diplomatically engaged with multiple sides.

Missile Incident Raises Stakes

The warning comes days after Turkish authorities confirmed that a ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace before being intercepted by NATO defense systems deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.

The incident marked the fourth such interception since the start of the war, raising concerns in Ankara about unintended spillover and the risks posed by escalating missile activity in the region. NATO has since moved to reinforce air defense systems in Turkey, while Ankara has lodged formal protests and issued warnings to Tehran.

Iran, for its part, has denied responsibility for previous incidents and called for a joint investigation.

Despite rising tensions, Turkey continues to position itself as a diplomatic intermediary. Erdoğan reiterated that Ankara is engaged in ongoing contacts with both Washington and Tehran, as well as other regional actors, in an effort to prevent further escalation.

He emphasized that a return to negotiations remains possible and that Turkey is working to keep diplomatic channels open.