President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to shut down the U.S. Incirlik and Kurecik bases “if necessary”.

“If it is necessary for us to take such a step, of course we have the authority...If this is necessary, together with our delegations, we will close down Incirlik if necessary, ” Erdogan told A Haber TV on Sunday.

 Pentagon comments on Erdogan threats

Pentagon said they are doing their best to maintain relations with Turkey amid statements by its leadership about the possible closure of the United States military bases, a representative of Pentagon told RIA Novosti.

Pentagon consider the status of forces in Turkey as a symbol of decades-long commitment to work and help in defending a NATO ally and strategic partner, the statement says. The Defense Department also encouraged Turkey to adopt more constructive policy of S400, Syria and other issues.

One of the reasons for Erdogan’s tough statement was adoption of the Armenian Genocide resolution by the U.S. Senate. Turkey’s Foreign Minister described the decision as a political performance.

Erdogan has announced that in response to the US Senate's recognition of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire in 1915, the Turkish Parliament may adopt a resolution on the genocide of Native Americans during American colonization.