Türkiye’s foreign minister warned of Israeli intent to strike Iran as the US Central Command chief arrived in Israel amid rising regional tensions.

Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said there are indications that Israel is seeking to launch an attack on Iran, warning that regional states do not want a new war that would deepen instability across the Middle East.

Speaking during an interview with Turkiye’s NTV channel, Fidan said countries in the region are still struggling to recover from years of conflict and cannot afford another major confrontation.

“We do not want to open a new major wound while we have barely managed to heal those in Syria and Iraq,” Fidan said. “But we must also do everything we can to resolve these problems.”

Fidan added that Türkiye has consistently expressed its support for Iran in nuclear negotiations and has conveyed its views to Tehran as a friendly state.

“As friendly countries, we have told Iran everything that needs to be said. We shared our vision of what is right and what should be done,” he said. “I hope they find a way to a solution, but unfortunately, I must also say that there are indications Israel is still seeking to launch an attack on Iran.”

The Turkish foreign minister noted that Iran believes it may be possible to reach an understanding with the United States over its nuclear program, but said Washington continues to expand the scope of talks by introducing additional demands beyond the nuclear file.

Addressing ongoing protests in Iran, Fidan said the country has experienced similar periods before, marked by large demonstrations.

“There is a strong reaction among the people to the economic hardship they are experiencing,” he said, noting that years of international sanctions have severely constrained Iran’s economy, particularly through restrictions on oil exports.

Fidan cautioned against portraying the protests as a unified movement seeking the overthrow of the Iranian system.

“Depicting the reaction to economic hardship as being directed against the system and demanding its collapse may not be a fully realistic analysis in the Iranian case,” he said. “There are overlapping groups and grey areas that require careful analysis.”

He added that while the protests are genuine and their demands should be taken seriously, external actors are unlikely to achieve the outcomes they expect from them.

Iran Warns of All-Out War – US Pressure, Military Signals, and Regional Disruptions Intensify

US Military Chief Arrives in Israel

The remarks came as the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Brad Cooper, arrived in Israel on Saturday, according to Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

Israeli media reported that the visit comes amid growing concerns in Tel Aviv over the possibility of an Iranian “preemptive strike,” alongside assessments that the United States may be preparing for a potential military attack on Iran as it continues to bolster its forces in the Middle East.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that General Cooper is expected to meet with Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar.

On Thursday, the Israeli military announced that its entire air force has been placed on high alert, citing assessments that the United States could carry out a military strike against Iran.

US and Israeli pressure on Tehran has intensified since nationwide protests erupted in Iran in late December over worsening economic and living conditions. Iranian officials have accused Washington of using sanctions, pressure, and unrest to create a pretext for military intervention and regime change.

(Anadolu, AJA, Israeli Media, PC)