ISTANBUL, Jun 20: The escalating Iran-Israel confrontation is quickly reaching "the point of no return", Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, as Washington mulled the prospect of entering the war.
Iran and Israel have been at war for eight days after Israel, saying the Islamic republic was on the brink of acquiring a nuclear weapon, launched a massive wave of strikes on its arch-rival, triggering an immediate response from Tehran.
"Unfortunately, the genocide in Gaza and the conflict with Iran are quickly reaching the point of no return. This madness must end as soon as possible," Erdogan said, warning the consequences could affect the region, Europe and Asia "for many years".
"It is imperative that fingers are removed from the triggers and buttons before more destruction, bloodshed, civilian casualties and terrible disaster occurs, that could affect our region, as well as Europe and Asia for years to come," he said.
His remarks were made at an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) youth forum in Istanbul ahead of a gathering of OIC foreign ministers at the weekend.
Among those due to attend was Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with the ongoing crisis with Israel likely to feature high on the agenda at the two-day talks.
Erdogan had earlier warned the war could spark a surge in migration in a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
"The spiral of violence triggered by Israel's attacks could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration and the possibility of nuclear leakage," he said, warning the conflict had "raised the threat to regional security to the highest level".
Despite the ongoing bombardments, a Turkish defence ministry source said Thursday there had been "no increase" in numbers crossing the country's border from Iran.
The Turkish authorities have not released any figures.
AFP correspondents at the main Kapikoy border crossing near the eastern Turkish city of Van reported seeing several hundred people crossing in both directions, with a customs official saying the numbers were "nothing unusual".
During a visit to the frontier on Wednesday, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said "security measures at our borders have been increased". "AFP
