Israel is 'main obstacle' to peace in Middle East: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticised Israel, calling it the "biggest obstacle to peace" in the Middle East.

Speaking at a diplomatic conference in Istanbul, Erdogan condemned Israel’s recent strike on Iran, accusing it of deliberately sabotaging efforts to resume nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington.

"This Israeli attack is nothing short of state robbery. It represents a clear attempt to destabilise the region," Erdogan said during the event, which was attended by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Erdogan claimed the June 13 assault was strategically timed to derail upcoming negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme, describing it as a calculated effort to "undermine diplomacy."

"The Netanyahu government is constantly proving that they are the main impediment to peace in the Middle East," the Turkish president added.

He called on the international community to take a united stance against what he described as Israeli aggression and warned that continued silence could fuel further instability.