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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday told his Iranian counterpart that Ankara is ready to help facilitate lasting peace between Iran and Israel.

In a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization summit in Azerbaijan, Erdogan “emphasized the importance of transforming the de facto ceasefire between Iran and Israel into lasting calm,” according to a statement from the Turkish presidency. 

He was referring to the US-brokered truce that went into effect on June 24 after 12 days of deadly war between Israel and Iran.

“The resolution of issues through dialogue and negotiations was highlighted as essential” and Turkey’s “readiness to sincerely fulfill its responsibilities, including acting as a facilitator if needed, was expressed,” added the statement. 

According to a statement from Pezeshkian’s office, Erdogan said he pushed for a return to nuclear negotiations in recent meetings at NATO and with US President Donald Trump.

Tensions between the regional foes dramatically escalated on June 13 when Israel carried out airstrikes on nuclear and military sites in Iran, devastating the county’s defense system. Dozens of Iranian nuclear scientists and senior military commanders were killed in the strikes. In retaliation, Iran carried out several waves of missile and drone attacks against Israel.

The conflict brought an end to nuclear talks between Iran and the US.