Trump Says Turkey Wanted to Join Iran Against Israel but Didn't Because of Him

During a joint session with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, former U.S. President Donald Trump made surprising remarks about Turkey's stance in the conflict involving Iran and Israel. Trump stated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wanted to join the war on Iran's side against Israel but refrained from doing so because of Trump's influence. He described Turkey as a major military power with millions of soldiers and advanced equipment, including American-supplied F-35 jets.

Trump also expressed personal admiration for both Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said, "I love Erdogan, he rolled out the red carpet for me, he is amazing," while also praising Netanyahu as "a wonderful leader in wartime." Trump referenced Netanyahu's recent harsh comments about Turkey and Erdogan, noting that Erdogan does not particularly like Israel or Netanyahu.

Trump emphasized that if it were not for his intervention, Turkey would have joined the conflict alongside Iran. He concluded with a dramatic statement declaring the ceasefire over and calling the Iranians "scoundrels." These comments came amid ongoing tensions in the region and highlight the complex relationships between the U.S., Turkey, Israel, and Iran.

The remarks were made during the NATO summit and were reported on October 10. Trump’s statements shed light on behind-the-scenes dynamics and the potential for Turkey's involvement in regional conflicts, which was ultimately averted due to his influence.