Gul: "Tension over Iran may turn into military conflict"

President Abdullah Gul, speaking at the academy of the Turkish armed forces yesterday, has said tension over Iran's nuclear program may turn into military conflict. "Turkey doesn't have luxury for following the events from a distance," Gul said, pointing out ongoing bloodshed in Syria, and political instability based on sectarian conflicts in Iraq. "The tension over Iran's nuclear program is likely to turn into a military conflict. This environment of instability in our neighbors is desired to be turned into a ‘scene of cold war,' where rehearsal of regional and global power struggles takes place. Turkey doesn't have luxury for following developments from a distance; that's why diplomatic activity and military preparedness are not a matter of choice to Turkey, but necessity," Gul said.