Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Iran was defending itself against Israel's illegal, "crazed" attacks, and what he called "state terrorism," and added Iran's self-defense was natural, legal, and legitimate.

Speaking to members of his ruling AK Party in parliament, Erdogan also said Israel had attacked Turkey's neighbor Iran without waiting for an end to nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, adding Ankara wanted to see issues resolved through diplomacy. He said Turkey was ready to contribute to a solution.

He also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had surpassed Adolf Hitler in committing crimes of genocide in Gaza.