Ankara (Turkey): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of deliberately undermining regional peace efforts, alleging that its actions derailed a 14-point memorandum between Iran and the United States and prolonged tensions in the Middle East.

In a statement issued after a Presidential Cabinet meeting, Erdogan said countries across the region and the global economy were paying the price for what he described as Israel’s “schemes and provocations”.

“Not just the Iranian people and our brotherly Gulf countries, but everyone, whether directly involved or not, is paying the price of the war that started with Israel’s schemes and provocations,” Erdogan said.

Erdogan blames Israel for derailing Islamabad Accord

Erdogan alleged that Israel’s actions had sabotaged the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a 14-point agreement signed between Iran and the US in June that was aimed at easing military tensions and advancing diplomatic efforts.

“It was, once again, Israel’s lies and acts of sabotage that derailed the Islamabad Accord, which had brought relief to our entire region,” he said.

He warned that lasting stability in the region would remain difficult as long as what he called a “radical mentality” continued to view even the possibility of peace as a threat.

“As long as this radical mentality that regards even the slightest prospect of peace as a threat to itself remains unchanged, the ‘storm of crisis’ in our region will not subside,” Erdogan said.

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Netanyahu says Iran regime is nearing its end

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Iranian government was struggling to survive and claimed that its downfall was approaching.

Speaking at a Rosh Hashanah reception on Sunday, Netanyahu said Israel remained prepared to defend itself and warned its adversaries against testing the country.

“We are determined to defend ourselves; we are determined to strike our enemies,” Netanyahu said, according to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office.

He described Israel as the “strongest superpower in the Middle East” and said the country’s military achievements were significant, but that more remained to be accomplished.

“The end is near” for Iran’s regime, Netanyahu said, adding that Israel was determined to complete what he described as another major mission that would change the Middle East.
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What was in the 14-point agreement?

The 14-point agreement provided for an immediate cessation of military operations, including in Lebanon, and required Iran and the US to pursue a final agreement within 60 days.

It also included provisions for removing the US naval blockade, ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, phased sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets.

The agreement further proposed a US-backed economic development programme for Iran worth at least USD 300 billion.

ANI