Israel must not scupper US-Iran deal: Erdogan

ANKARA, July 5: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that Middle East peace efforts could not succeed without regional backing and that Israel must not be allowed to "dynamite" the US-Iran peace deal.

Speaking alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul, Erdogan said: "No solution that does not take strength from the will and contributions of regional countries can be lasting."

Turkey, a NATO member and Iran's neighbour, has repeatedly accused Israel of trying to undermine the US-Iran deal mediated by Pakistan, and has condemned Israeli operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

"We are closely following the Israeli administration's attempts to dynamite the (US-Iran) deal... The current war-addicted Israeli government must not be allowed to drown our geography in the smell of gunpowder and blood again," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also said Turkey aimed to deepen cooperation with Pakistan in energy, transport, critical minerals, information technology and defence, while pursuing a bilateral trade target of $5 billion.

Earlier on Saturday, officials from both countries attended a business forum in Istanbul. Turkish Energy Minister AlparslanBayraktar said Turkish firms wanted to contribute to projects in Pakistan and share Turkey's energy-sector expertise as Pakistan undergoes a transformation of its electricity sector.

US President Donald Trump's visit to Ankara for the NATO summit could help secure Turkey's acquisition of dozens of fighter jet engines, but won't resolve the F-35 dispute that has soured ties, analysts say.

The July 7-8 summit, which is being hosted by President RecepTayyip Erdogan, will bring together leaders from the military alliance's 32 member states.
Last month, Trump promised to make Erdogan "very happy" when asked about Turkey looking to secure F110 jet engines and being readmitted to the F-35 fighter jet programme.

Analysts said it would likely mean freeing up fighter jet engines Turkey wants to use in its flagship KAAN stealth fighter project.�"AGENCIES