Turkish FM Hakan Fidan Urges U.S.-Iran Agreement to Prevent Renewed Regional Conflict

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasized the critical need for an agreement between the United States and Iran, amid heightened tensions and the risk of renewed conflict following a series of airstrikes between Israel and Iran.

In remarks made during a press briefing, Fidan highlighted that both Washington and Tehran have shown willingness to return to negotiations, noting that diplomatic engagement is essential to avert a broader regional war.

“We are both closely following and involved in all developments in the region, often serving as mediators,” Fidan said. “It is in our interest, and in the interest of the region, that new wars do not erupt and existing ones are brought to an end.”

Reflecting on the escalation that began with Israeli strikes on Iran, Fidan stated, “From the first week of the Gaza attacks, I predicted a direct war between Israel and Iran. Israel’s actions pushed Iran into a position of legitimate defense, revealing that Israel may not be as capable as it claims in neutralizing Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.”

Fidan pointed to the influence of internal political pressures on Israeli foreign policy, asserting that “the world has witnessed a leadership in Israel willing to ignite the region to preserve its own political survival.”

He noted that although the confrontation has paused after 12 days, the current ceasefire is fragile and predicated on the assumption that Iran’s nuclear facilities have been neutralized. “The region must remain vigilant against the possibility of resumed hostilities,” he warned.

High Costs and Regional Impact

“The conflict has imposed a huge cost not only on the parties directly involved but also on the broader region,” Fidan said. “This is a cross-border war, as the two countries are more than 1,000 kilometers apart and share no common border. Several other nations are directly or indirectly affected.”

The Turkish foreign minister underlined that stabilizing the situation requires a broader diplomatic effort, saying, “To ensure long-term peace, an agreement between Iran and the United States is imperative.”

Fidan also confirmed that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has suffered considerable damage following a U.S.-led military operation. “There has been a serious and clear blow to Iran’s nuclear program, although the program itself is multifaceted,” he said.

U.S. Communication and Mediation Role

Responding to a question, Fidan acknowledged that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the night of the Israeli attacks on Iran. “Yes, such a conversation did take place. The U.S. made clear it had no role in the strikes and warned Iran not to retaliate against American assets, stating that any attack would provoke a harsh response.”

He added that Washington also communicated with Tehran, making it clear the United States did not wish to be drawn into a wider conflict and preferred to maintain a neutral position.

Fidan noted that Turkish officials relayed a critical message from Iran during discussions: “If the military actions remain limited, the Iranian response will also remain limited.” This message helped contain the conflict and was later confirmed through statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Potential High-Level Talks and Global Nuclear Balance

Addressing speculation about a potential meeting between Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Türkiye, Fidan said: “Given the trust in our President’s leadership, the most advanced proposals have come forward, but I will not comment further.”

Fidan concluded by underscoring the long-standing imbalance in the global nuclear order. “The five permanent members of the UN Security Council—all nuclear-armed—agree only on preventing a sixth country from acquiring nuclear weapons. Yet, no effort is made to reduce the number of nuclear states. Ultimately, this is a matter of global mistrust. No one trusts anyone.”

Fidan’s remarks reflect Ankara’s continued role as a regional mediator and signal Türkiye’s readiness to support diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States.