Did Erdoğan Say Türkiye Would Attack Israel If Not for Pakistan?
Published On 20 Apr, 2026
Claim
A video circulating widely on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, claims that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye would have attacked Israel if Pakistan had not mediated between the United States and Iran.
The viral post alleges that Erdoğan said:
“If it were not for Pakistan mediating the war between the US and Iran, we would have shown Israel its place.”
The clip has gained significant traction, amassing millions of views and thousands of shares.
Fact
The claim is false.
A detailed review confirms that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan did not make any statement mentioning Pakistan or suggesting that Türkiye would attack Israel.
Using reverse image verification, the viral clip was traced back to Erdoğan’s speech delivered during the 9th meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) held on April 10 in Istanbul.
In the original speech, Erdoğan strongly criticized Israel’s actions in Lebanon, stating:
“On the day the ceasefire was declared, Israel barbarically massacred 254 Lebanese people… The genocide network, whose eyes are clouded with blood and hatred, continues to slaughter innocent civilians…”
There was no mention of Pakistan, mediation efforts, or any statement about attacking Israel.
Official Clarification
Türkiye’s official Disinformation Counteraction Centre also dismissed the viral claim, confirming that Erdoğan did not make any remarks about invading or attacking Israel.
Additionally, reputable Turkish media outlets such as Yeni Şafak and Türkiye Today covered the speech but reported no such statement as being circulated online.
Verdict
False Claim
The viral assertion that Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye would attack Israel if Pakistan had not mediated US-Iran tensions is misleading and fabricated.
In reality, Erdoğan’s speech focused on condemning Israel’s actions in Lebanon and did not include any reference to Pakistan or military threats against Israel.
