WASHINGTON — The United States took strong exception to the Turkish president hosting Hamas leaders recently.

“We strongly object to President Erdogan hosting two Hamas leaders. Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. This outreach isolates Turkey and undercuts global efforts to counter terrorism.” Morgan Ortagus, the spokesperson of the US State Department, said in a tweet.

The State Department issued a statement on Tuesday blasting President Recep Tayyip Ergodan for undermining the US as well as global efforts to combat terrorism.

“The United States strongly objects to Turkish President Erdogan hosting two Hamas leaders in Istanbul on Aug. 22.”

President Erdogan had met the Hamas leaders in Istanbul last week. The Hamas delegation was led by the head of its political bureau Ismail Haniyeh, and included deputy chief Saleh Al-Arouri.

Emphasizing that Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU, the US State Department pointed out and both officials hosted by President Erdogan are specially designated global terrorists in a reference to Haniyeh and Al-Arouri.

The statement also said that the US Rewards for Justice Program is seeking information about one of the individuals for his involvement in multiple terrorist attacks, hijackings, and kidnappings.

The US State Department warned the Turkish president, saying: “President Erdogan’s continued outreach to this terrorist organization only serves to isolate Turkey from the international community, harms the interests of the Palestinian people, and undercuts global efforts to prevent terrorist attacks launched from Gaza.”

“We continue to raise our concerns about the Turkish government’s relationship with Hamas at the highest levels. This is the second time President Erdogan has welcomed Hamas leadership to Turkey this year with the first meeting occurring Feb. 1, the US State Department added in the statement.