Message from President Erdoğan to Ilham Aliyev: We conveyed that we condemn the attack

Erdoğan made important statements at an Iftar program with Tradesmen and Artisans.

Here are the highlights from the statements of AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan:

I wish for these blessed days to be a source of goodness for you, our nation, the Islamic world, and all of humanity. I send my greetings and love from here to our 2 million 255 thousand tradesmen and artisans across our 81 provinces. On behalf of myself and my nation, I express my gratitude to all our business people who add value to our country with their sweat, labor, and sincere and devoted efforts. I see our tradesmen and artisans as the modern-day representatives of our deep-rooted Ahi tradition, which kneads the essence of our civilization with morality, virtue, kindness, and honesty, and I have expressed this many times. Our tradesmen and artisans, our chambers, and our unions have been nourished by a unique source like the Ahi tradition.

THANKS TO TRADESMEN AND ARTISANS

While observing lawful earnings, they viewed trade and commerce as a path leading to the peace and well-being of society and, ultimately, to the pleasure of Allah. I thank all our tradesmen and artisans once again today, who embrace all these values, carry these virtues from the past to the present, and work with passion for their country and nation. May the Almighty be pleased with all of you. May He turn your efforts into good. We are in a period where these ancient values that created our tradesmen and artisans are needed more than ever.

"REGIONAL TENSION HAS REACHED ALARMING DIMENSIONS WITH AIR STRIKES TARGETING OUR NEIGHBOR IRAN"

Our world is experiencing days unprecedented in recent history. A new one is added to wars and hot conflicts every day. The international community, especially the Western world, is content with just watching what is happening. Regional tension has reached alarming dimensions with air strikes targeting our neighbor Iran. Hundreds of civilians, including innocent children, have lost their lives. Iran's missiles and kamikaze UAVs fired at other countries have created the risk of the fire spreading to a much wider area. With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, there have been increases of up to 20 percent in oil and natural gas prices. We have activated the sliding scale system to prevent increases at the source. Accordingly, if gasoline and diesel prices rise, a reduction in the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) of up to 75 percent of the price increase will be applied.

"WE DO NOT SHOW THE SLIGHTEST NEGLIGENCE OR HESITATION IN THE SECURITY OF OUR BORDERS AND AIRSPACE"

Thus, we will both prevent opportunists from disrupting the market under the pretext of fuel prices and, as the state, share the burden of our citizens until the fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices subside. We are closely following all these developments that have negative reflections on the economy, trade, security, tourism, and agriculture. We do not show the slightest negligence or hesitation in the security of our borders and our airspace. In the event that a risk to our security emerges, we take all measures meticulously in coordination with our allies. We showed our sensitivity in yesterday's incident. We have issued warnings to ensure that a similar event does not recur. While our struggle for peace as a country and a nation since the first day is evident, no one should adopt a misguided attitude that damages the law of neighborliness and brotherhood.

"OUR PHONE CALLS CONTINUE WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN"

Just as in the Russia-Ukraine war, which is entering its 5th year, our government must do whatever is necessary to keep our country and nation safe from all kinds of dangers with its experienced and qualified staff during the Iran crisis. Our phone calls continue without slowing down. Today, we spoke with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the President of France, and the President of Azerbaijan. I expressed to my brother Ilham our sadness regarding today's attack targeting Nakhchivan and that we condemn it.

We will continue our diplomacy to prevent more blood from being shed in our region. Let no one worry; with the permission of Allah, Turkey will successfully emerge from this regional turbulence as well. Despite the uncertainties in the world and the crises in our region, our economy grew by 3.6 percent in 2025. Our national income rose to 1.6 trillion dollars, and our per capita income rose to 18 thousand 40 dollars. Our industrial sector recorded its highest growth in the last 5 years. In 2025, we became the third fastest-growing economy among OECD countries. We are in fifth place in the G20. As we reduce inflation to our targeted levels, Turkey's economy will hopefully gain a different momentum by strengthening even further.

News Source: 12punto