Lebanon · 18 August, 2026 · 2 min read
Erdogan Tells Al Jazeera Israeli Attacks on Lebanon Threaten Türkiye, Urges Hormuz Strait Reopening
Erdogan says Israeli attacks on Lebanon are a major concern for Türkiye. Egypt could join Türkiye-Saudi-Pakistan defense pact; Hormuz Strait opening emphasized.
16 outlets told this the same way.
5 of 7 outlets skipped it: turkey says it cannot leave Gaza alone.
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Erdogan flags Lebanon risk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Al Jazeera in an exclusive interview for ‘Al Muqabala’ that continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon are a source of serious concern for Ankara.
Erdogan said he discussed the necessity of stopping the war on Lebanon with U.S. President Donald Trump during his last visit to Turkey, and he pointed to the importance of Washington’s role in stopping this war.
In the same Al Jazeera interview, Erdogan said Turkey prioritizes reopening the Hormuz Strait because keeping it closed serves no one.
Erdogan also said he expects Turkey will not leave Syria and Gaza to their own devices, while emphasizing that Qatar played an important role in mediation efforts to stop the war in the region.
Mecca pact and regional ties
Erdogan told Al Jazeera that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement, signed in the Saudi holy city last Friday by Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, “has sent an important message to the world.” In that same interview, Erdogan said the agreement remained open to additional members and indicated that Egypt’s participation was possible.
Erdogan also said he had raised the need to end the war in Lebanon with Donald Trump during Trump’s recent visit to Türkiye, and he said Washington had an important role to play in bringing the fighting to an end. The Al Jazeera interview further linked Lebanon to broader regional tensions, with Erdogan speaking about conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria alongside tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
What Ankara says it will do
Erdogan told Al Jazeera that Turkey will continue to support Syrian stability and said he plans to visit Syria in the future, while also stressing that Syria will not be left alone. Regarding Lebanon, Erdogan framed Israeli attacks as a major concern for Ankara and urged the urgent need to halt the war on Lebanon in remarks carried by ISNA News Agency.
ISNA also said Erdogan stated that Turkey prioritizes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and that its continued closure serves no country’s interests. In the same set of remarks, Erdogan said Turkey cannot leave Gaza isolated and will extend all necessary support, while accusing Israel of continuing hostilities and asserting that Hamas adhered to its commitments in good faith.