Hakan Fidan, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, directly accused the United States and Israel of having launched an “illegal” war against Iran, stressing that Ankara had from the outset sought to prevent escalation. Speaking to A Haber, he outlined Turkey’s key diplomatic priorities: “Our priority was to prevent the outbreak of war, second to prevent its spread, and third to keep Turkey out of this conflict.”
Fidan also referred to ongoing diplomatic efforts, leaving open the possibility of de-escalation if there is political will: “If there is genuine intent from both sides, they can reach a point of agreement.” He added that, as in the case of Gaza, the international community expects an end to the conflict, noting: “The world’s expectation is for this unjust war to stop as soon as possible and for its negative consequences to end.”
Criticism of U.S. and Israel : “Seed of division” in the Middle East
In a particularly sharp tone, Fidan addressed Israel’s influence on U.S. policy, stating that “Israel’s influence over (U.S.) politics and its manipulation have now been exposed,” adding that the issue “is being seriously discussed both on the American right and within society” and “is no longer considered a conspiracy theory, but a serious matter raised by intellectuals.”
He also criticized the international community for failing to exert pressure on Israel, saying recent developments have highlighted “the world’s inability to pressure Israel.” Referring to the U.S. role in negotiations with Iran, he stressed that if Washington makes progress, “it should also use its influence over Israel.”
Finally, he warned of broader regional risks, stating that “unfortunately, the region is being gradually drawn into a game designed by Israel,” and spoke of a “seed of division” that could undermine unity among Muslim countries, emphasizing that “Turkey’s number one goal is to prevent this division.”
Source: SigmaLive
Also read: War redraws the regional map: Turkey’s strategic push and Cyprus’ position
