Fidan Calls for U.S.-Iran Deal to Avert War
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday called for a U.S.-Iran agreement to prevent further conflict in the region, following recent airstrikes and rising tensions between Iran and Israel, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency
Speaking on live TV, Fidan confirmed that a planned meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump took place during the NATO summit in The Hague. Discussions covered regional crises including Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran. Fidan described the meeting as “very constructive.”
He noted NATO’s decision to increase defense spending to 5% over the next decade—3.5% for core defense and 1.5% for cybersecurity and infrastructure. Türkiye will host the 2026 NATO summit, with either Istanbul or Ankara under consideration.
Fidan emphasized Türkiye’s role as a regional mediator, expressing concern over Israel’s recent strikes on Iran, which he said pushed Tehran into a “position of legitimate defense.” He accused Israeli leadership of fueling regional conflict for domestic political gain and warned that despite a temporary ceasefire, the region should remain alert for renewed hostilities.
He confirmed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted him during the Israel-Iran escalation, assuring that Washington had no role in the attack and sought to avoid being drawn into the conflict.
Fidan acknowledged significant damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities caused by a U.S. operation, but said negotiations, not military action, were key to long-term stability. He expressed belief that a nuclear-focused deal similar to the Obama-era JCPOA was still possible, but warned that Iran would reject demands extending beyond nuclear limits.
He also confirmed recent talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and said both sides were open to limiting their military responses—similar to post-Soleimani retaliation in 2020—to avoid full-scale war.
On a potential U.S.-Iran rapprochement, Fidan hinted that quiet diplomacy channels, such as the Oman process, might be revived, and Türkiye was ready to mediate if requested. He stressed the importance of compromise, noting both sides maintain firm but divergent views on nuclear enrichment rights.
Fidan concluded by highlighting the global double standards on nuclear weapons, saying, “No one wants a sixth nuclear state, but no one is ready to become the fourth, third, or second.”
