Islamabad: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has launched a sharp attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, escalating diplomatic tensions as Israel reiterates its stance on continuing operations against Iran and its regional proxies.
In a post on X, Netanyahu accused Erdogan of “accommodating Iran’s terror regime” while alleging that the Turkish leader had “massacred his own Kurdish citizens”. He added that Israel, under his leadership, would continue its campaign against what he described as Iran’s “terror regime”.
Netanyahu-Erdogan war of words intensifies amid Middle East tensions
The exchange comes amid heightened geopolitical friction between Israel and Turkey, with both leaders trading accusations in recent weeks over regional conflicts and military operations.
Netanyahu’s comments followed reports that Turkish prosecutors have sought lengthy prison sentences for Israeli officials, including the prime minister, over alleged crimes against humanity and genocide linked to the Gaza conflict and the 2025 interception of the Sumud flotilla.
The diplomatic row has further intensified as regional tensions escalate alongside Iran-related negotiations involving global powers.
Iran talks and Pakistan mediation in focus
The political confrontation coincides with ongoing US-Iran negotiations being hosted in Islamabad, where has positioned itself as a key mediator in regional diplomacy.
According to officials, Pakistan has deployed extensive security arrangements in the capital for the high-level talks, with foreign delegations hosted under tight protection. The discussions are centred on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian delegation is led by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while the US delegation is reportedly headed by Vice President J D Vance.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held separate meetings with both sides, with Islamabad describing its role as a “trusted interlocutor” in facilitating dialogue.
Regional escalation continues
Tensions between Israel and Turkey have further complicated an already volatile regional landscape, with competing narratives over Gaza, Iran, and Kurdish-related issues driving diplomatic friction.
As negotiations continue in Islamabad, analysts say the parallel escalation in rhetoric between Netanyahu and Erdogan underscores the widening fault lines across the Middle East.