Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for efforts to resolve the dispute between Iran and the United States to continue through diplomatic channels, urging that a new war or conflict be prevented. Fidan said Türkiye was discussing with its American and Iranian counterparts ways to prevent the war from spreading across the region.
Speaking at a press conference in New York, Fidan said that during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, he heard Iran’s latest proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and the initial assessment from the US side. Describing the continuation of the talks as a positive development and the lack of results so far as a negative one, Fidan said maintaining the diplomatic process was also consistent with the position of Türkiye’s allies in the Gulf.
After attending the work of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Fidan said Israel’s isolation in the international arena was continuing to grow. He said Türkiye was using all diplomatic means to prevent conflicts in the region from spreading and noted that the country was making intensive efforts with its partners and allies.
Fidan argued that the injustices committed and massacres carried out by Israel had not gone unanswered, as they had in the past. He said determined diplomacy played an important role in turning the international community’s reactions into concrete protests, positions and viable policies. Fidan said Israel was facing an unprecedented situation in the areas of sanctions and law, adding that the process also involved the International Court of Justice and international criminal courts.
Diplomatic efforts for Gaza
Fidan said Türkiye’s goal was to immediately end the tragedy in Gaza, increase humanitarian aid and create an environment in which Palestinians would not have to worry about their future. He described these developments as the result of a policy pursued under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that places the humanitarian conscience at the center of global values.
Fidan said Erdoğan’s meetings with US President Donald Trump and the leaders of regional countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly addressed the latest developments concerning Gaza and tensions with Iran. He said the meetings also assessed the difficulties and obstacles facing the Gaza peace plan launched last year, as well as Israel’s failure to comply with the rules.
Fidan also said Erdoğan had raised his vision for regional peace, the threats arising from Israel’s expansion, the issue of Gaza and Türkiye’s proposals for overcoming the blockage in the Strait of Hormuz.
Steps toward the Mecca Defense Alliance
Fidan said Türkiye was holding talks on the “Mecca Alliance” and that some military threats targeting Saudi Arabia had been discussed. He noted that Türkiye was continuing its intensive efforts to create an environment in the region free from conflict and dominated by peace.
Providing information about the foreign ministers’ meeting of the “Mecca Defense Alliance” held in New York and the alliance’s institutional steps, Fidan announced that significant progress had been made. He said the alliance aimed to determine its secretariat and appoint a secretary-general within two weeks, adding that member states were expected to approve the candidate proposed by Pakistan.
Fidan said the meetings addressed developments in the region, particularly military threats targeting Saudi Arabia from the north and south. He added that he had consulted with Chief of General Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu after the latter attended a military technical assessment meeting in Riyadh, and that Bayraktaroğlu had presented the results to President Erdoğan.
Fidan said the Turkish Armed Forces possessed a high level of professionalism, as well as the capability and experience to respond to any threat. Nevertheless, he said Türkiye would continue working to create a more peaceful environment free from conflict.
Armed groups in Iraq and Bashiqa
Fidan said they welcomed the Iraqi government’s designation of the disarmament of all armed groups in the country as a political goal, adding that Türkiye supported this approach. He said the goal also covered elements in Sinjar controlled by administrations linked to the PKK.
Fidan said President Erdoğan had met with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Zeydi at the Turkish House in New York. He said Türkiye’s military presence at the Bashiqa base in northern Iraq began following an earlier invitation from Iraqis to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
Fidan said that once Iraq implements its road map for ending terrorism and armed groups, Türkiye would make plans to gradually reduce and ultimately end its presence in the region. He noted that Erdoğan had confirmed this approach during his meeting with the Iraqi prime minister.
