Iran Press/Europe: Zahid Sobaci who plans to launch the TRT Persian channel said: "We are to open the TRT Persian channel at the end of this year. We must disturb Iran, we must disturb Iran!"
The controversial comments sparked debates in the region's media circles and were followed by strong criticisms from other media managers.
The Head of World Service of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Ahmad Norouzi reacted to the comments on his X account and pointed out that in case of any mischief, IRIB considers the rights of mutual reaction preserved:
"While we remain focused on reporting daily massacres by the Zionist regime in Palestine & Lebanon & undistracted by unhealthy & imprudent remarks, we reserve the right to take appropriate reciprocal measures. We at IRIB hope Turkish officials would rightly condemn & clarify it."
Turkish Amb'r. Urges Iran-Turkey Cooperation
The TRT director's comments come one week after the Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Hicabi Kırlangıç visited IranPress International News Agency of IRIB and called for media cooperation to highlight the Gaza issue and the Israeli regime's crimes.
TRT Head Says to Disturb Iran, Netanyahu Says the Same
The Turkish experts also poured their scathing messages toward the TRT director and called him one who has aligned with the Israeli regime.
Turkish politician Akin Aydin referred to the TRT director's provocative comments at the opening ceremony of Bursa Uludag University in 2024-2025; He noted that Sobaci says TRT must disturb Iran the same words Netanyahu says.
Turkish journalist, writer, and politician Hüseyin Kocabıyık addressed Zahid Sobaci and called him a bureaucrat who just would harm the Turkish government:
"Director General of TRT! ... you have sit in a government institution. The one who represents the government does not say everything everywhere. He does his job and takes care of his business. Were I your boss, you wouldn't sit there even for a second. You are a bureaucrat harming our government, for sure!"
Elsewhere, he said that if Subaci has made such a comment, he is an idiot although his name is followed by the "Professor" title.
Still, C. Kani Torun, a Turkish Politician and Ambassador, addressed Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and wanted to know if the Turkish foreign policy shifted to ally with the Israeli regime after the TRT director general made such comments.
TRT Director Should be Dismissed
Doğu Perinçek, Turkish Politician, and the leader of the Patriotic Party in response to the controversial remarks of the director of the Turkish state radio and television urged that the director of TRT should be sacked from this position as soon as possible.
Perinçek wrote on X social network: "TRT director's remarks do not correspond to diplomatic etiquette, and only supporters of the US and Israel can make such comments. What upsets Iran pleases the US and Israel. By saying these words, the general director of TRT admits the task and purpose set by the enemies for the establishment of TRT Persian."
The Turkish politician stated, "TRT's role is not to create a rift with Türkiye's true friends, to distort its relations, or to disturb its neighbors. Iran's friendship is essential for Türkiye, and there is no solution to America's plans in the region without Iran. The Persian network that is going to be established should only serve the friendship between Iran and Turkey, and we can have a common media organization with the friendly and brotherly country of Iran against the threats of the US and Israel in West Asia."
Turkish Officials Criticize Anti-Iran Remarks by TRT President
Several Turkish officials have expressed criticism over recent anti-Iran remarks made by the President of Turkey’s state broadcaster, TRT.
Ümit Özdağ, leader of the Victory Party, responded via Instagram, stating that Sobacı’s comments reflect a joint stance by Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the U.S., and Israel against Iran.
He criticized the move, calling it a mistake and pointing out that even if such a decision had been made, it should not have been publicly stated. "This shows strategic ignorance. After 22 years in power, you still haven't learned how to govern," he added.
Prominent figures including Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Turkish-Iranian relations, expressed positive sentiments about Turkey’s relationship with other Turkic-speaking countries. They stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes, especially regarding Syria, and emphasized the need for Turkey and Iran to strengthen their cooperation against global imperialism and Zionism.
Other notable figures such as Dr. Hasan Ünal, professor of international relations, Dr. Hilmi Demir, director of the Turkish Economic Research Institute, General İsmail Hakkı Pekin, former head of military intelligence, and journalist Alptekin Dursunoğlu have also criticized Sobacı’s remarks.
The controversy has raised concerns about Turkey’s foreign policy and the potential consequences of antagonizing a key regional player like Iran, particularly in a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East.
By Kazemi Avanji
