Erdogan says can’t tolerate Iran bidding to dominate Middle East

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has accused Iran of trying to dominate the Middle East and said its efforts have begun annoying Ankara, as well as Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries.
Turkey earlier said it supports the Saudi-led military operation against Houthi terrorists in Yemen and called on the militia group and its “foreign supporters” to abandon acts which threaten peace and security in the region.
“Iran is trying to dominate the region,” Erdogan said in a press conference.
“Could this be allowed? This has begun annoying us, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. This is really not tolerable and Iran has to see this.”
Warplanes from Saudi Arabia and Arab allies struck at Houthi forces in Yemen, who have taken over much of the country in their campaign to oust President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Erdogan said the conflict has evolved into a sectarian one and urged Iran to withdraw.
“Iran has to change its view. It has to withdraw any forces, whatever it has in Yemen, as well as Syria and Iraq and respect their territorial integrity,” he said.