Turkey declares Israel ‘number one threat’ after regional summit

The rhetoric comes amid growing regional polarization, as Ankara deepens its alignment with Tehran while Israel expands strategic cooperation with Greece and Cyprus.

By World Israel News

Turkey’s pro-government daily Yeni Şafak on Wednesday published a front-page headline declaring that “Israel is now the number one threat,” following this week’s trilateral summit between Israel, Greece, and Cyprus.

Neslihan Önder, the newspaper’s chief foreign news editor, described the summit as a diplomatic declaration of a new front in the Eastern Mediterranean directed against Turkey.

The daily, which is closely aligned with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, claimed that Turkish state institutions now view Israel as their primary security concern. According to the report, Turkey’s defense ministry, foreign ministry, and MIT intelligence service have all elevated Israel to the top of their strategic agendas.

The rhetoric comes amid growing regional polarization, as Ankara deepens its alignment with Tehran while Israel expands strategic cooperation with Greece and Cyprus.

Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reaffirmed Ankara’s support for Iran during a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Fidan called for Iran’s nuclear program to be addressed through dialogue and urged the removal of what he described as “unrighteous” sanctions, even as discussions continue over restarting nuclear talks between Tehran and the West.

“Turkey has always stood with Iran and will continue to stand with Iran within the framework of international law,” Fidan said, adding that “these unfair sanctions should be lifted.”

At the same time, Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are reportedly planning to establish a joint rapid-response military force of approximately 2,500 troops to operate across the eastern Mediterranean.

According to the Greek daily Ta Nea, the proposed force would integrate land, air, and naval units and be positioned to respond quickly to security threats and acts of sabotage in the region, particularly from Turkey.

During the summit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a pointed warning aimed at Ankara’s regional ambitions.

“Those who hope to expand their empire should forget it,” Netanyahu said. “We are committed and capable of defending ourselves, and our cooperation strengthens that ability.”

The increasingly sharp rhetoric underscores rising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, as Turkey aligns more closely with Iran while Israel and its regional partners move to formalize security cooperation in response to what they view as growing strategic threats.