ISTANBUL (BERNAMA-ANADOLU): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, as well as bilateral ties and regional issues, in a phone call on Monday (June 16), according to Turkiye's Communications Directorate.

During the phone call, Erdogan warned that the cycle of violence sparked by Israeli attacks on Iran threatens the security of the entire region, the directorate said in a statement, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Erdogan said the Netanyahu government's disregard for the law poses a clear threat to the international system, adding that the region cannot tolerate another war, the statement added.

From the very beginning, Ankara has prioritised diplomatic initiatives to stop the attacks, Erdogan noted, emphasising that the only way to resolve issues with Iran is through diplomacy, and that negotiations must resume without delay.

Erdogan also stressed the importance of not allowing Israel's attacks against Iran to overshadow the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Putin also expressed the urgency of ending the conflict and opening space for diplomacy.

Regional tensions have escalated since Friday (June 13), when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. - Bernama-Anadolu