Erdoğan: Türkiye taking preventive measures against airspace threats, avoiding 'fire pit'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared Friday that Türkiye is entering a new era of proactive defense, taking preventive measures against airspace threats while keeping the country away from the regional "fire pit." Speaking at an Istanbul iftar, he urged caution amid sectarian tensions and condemned international silence on Gaza's suffering.

Fidan discusses Middle East war with Spanish, Singaporean counterparts

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held phone calls Friday with his Spanish and Singaporean counterparts to discuss the effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict, diplomatic sources confirmed. The Spanish and Singaporean ministers expressed solidarity with Türkiye following ballistic munitions fired from Iran into Turkish airspace.

US–Iran war has impacted the Indo-Pacific region

The military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran is beginning to reshape the global strategic balance. As Washington redirects troops, naval forces and air defense systems to the Middle East, analysts warn that the Indo-Pacific—central to US long-term strategy—may face a temporary security vacuum, creating opportunities for China and boosting Russia’s energy revenues.

Yılmaz: Türkiye supports Iranian people, but finds attacks on neighbors unacceptable

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said Friday that Türkiye supports the Iranian people but considers Iranian attacks on "friendly and neighboring countries unacceptable." Speaking to CNN Türk, Yılmaz said Ankara evaluates missile incidents "calmly" while taking precautions against all threats.

Fidan discusses regional tensions with Qatari, Azerbaijani counterparts

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held phone calls Friday with his Qatari and Azerbaijani counterparts to discuss regional developments, diplomatic sources said. The ministers expressed solidarity with Türkiye following the third ballistic munition fired from Iran into Turkish airspace since the US-Israel war began.

Türkiye urges citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iraq amid security risks

Türkiye's Embassy in Baghdad advised Turkish citizens Friday to avoid traveling to Iraq unless necessary, citing rapidly deteriorating security conditions. The warning covers crowded areas, airports, military zones and critical infrastructure, with Iraqi airspace closed at least until March 16 due to regional conflicts.

Iran arrests 54 in crackdown on 'monarchy supporters,' espionage suspects

Iranian police announced Saturday the arrest of 54 people over the past 72 hours on charges of involvement in riots and espionage, including two accused of sending coordinates of sensitive sites to Mossad and US intelligence. Authorities seized weapons and accused detainees of attacking property and inciting unrest.

Bahrain says forces intercepted 124 missiles, 203 drones since Feb. 28

Bahrain announced Saturday that its air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 124 missiles and 203 drones since "Iranian attacks" on the kingdom began Feb. 28. The Bahrain Defense Force said the interceptions occurred during successive waves of assaults, while UAE's Fujairah reported a fire from drone debris.

Iran's Araghchi thanks Türkiye for 'prayers and support' amid war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude Friday to Türkiye and the Turkish people for their "prayers and support" during Ramadan, calling it a "great source of strength." His message came despite recent incidents of Iranian missiles entering Turkish airspace, which Ankara has condemned as unacceptable.

Israel approves plans to 'deepen operations' against Hezbollah in Lebanon

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir approved plans to "deepen operations" against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the military announced Friday, including large reinforcements along the northern border. The escalation comes as Lebanon reports 733 killed, 1,933 injured and 822,000 displaced since Israel expanded its campaign March 2.

WSJ: Five US refueling planes damaged in Iranian strike on Saudi base

Five US Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian missile strike in recent days, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. The tankers are being repaired with no casualties reported, bringing damaged US tankers to at least seven in the conflict.

Iran may allow oil tankers through Hormuz if paid in yuan, official says

Iran is considering allowing limited oil tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz on condition that cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official told CNN Friday. The potential move would challenge dollar dominance in global oil trade amid a conflict that has effectively closed the strategic waterway since March 1.

Gaza police officers killed in Israeli strike despite ceasefire

Family members mourned near the body of a police officer killed in an Israeli airstrike on a police station in Khan Yunis, Gaza on March 14, 2026. Two officers were killed and several injured in the attack, which occurred despite an ongoing ceasefire, with bodies taken to Nasser Hospital for funeral procedures.

Israeli strike kills 12 paramedics at Lebanon medical center, ministry says

At least 12 paramedics were killed and one injured Friday when an Israeli airstrike hit an Islamic Health Authority medical center and clinic in Bourj Qalawayh, southern Lebanon, Lebanon's National News Agency reported. The Health Ministry condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law.

UN: Nearly all Gaza aid movements denied at Kerem Shalom crossing

Nearly all humanitarian aid movements to Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing were denied over the past two days, sharply limiting critical supplies, the UN said Friday. Only fuel was collected as supplies remain offloaded but not allowed to enter, with other crossings closed since the US-Israeli war on Iran began.

Iran says air defenses destroyed 111 drones since US-Israeli war began

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Friday that its air defenses have destroyed 111 drones since the start of the US-Israeli war, including an armed MQ-9 over Firuzabad. The statement comes as the conflict enters its 16th day with over 1,300 killed and ongoing retaliatory strikes.

US offers $10 million reward for information on Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei

The US State Department announced a $10 million reward Friday for information leading to the identification or location of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other key IRGC leaders. The announcement comes as Defense Secretary Hegseth claimed Khamenei is "wounded" and "likely disfigured" in ongoing US-Israeli strikes.

Trump claims up to 1,700 Iranian 'sleeper cells' in US, White House says no credible threat

President Donald Trump claimed Friday that Iran may have a network of over 1,700 "sleeper cells" in the US, though the White House denied any credible homeland threat. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt rejected an ABC News report about FBI warnings to California police, stating "no such threat exists, and it never did."

Erdoğan presents UN chief Guterres with Ataturk International Peace Prize

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented the Ataturk International Peace Prize to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Ankara on Thursday, praising his principled leadership on humanitarian crises. Erdoğan vowed Türkiye will continue intense diplomatic efforts to prevent the Iran-centered conflict from expanding, emphasizing diplomacy as the safest path to peace.

Turkish minister walks out of Israeli official’s UN address in Gaza protest

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş staged a walkout during an Israeli minister’s speech at a UN gathering in New York, demonstrating Türkiye’s firm stance against Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The protest occurred on the opening day of the Commission on the Status of Women, where she joined other representatives in leaving the hall.

Russian analysis sees Türkiye as key player if Iran weakens

As the US and Israel intensify military operations against Iran, Russian strategic circles are closely monitoring the crisis with a particular focus on Türkiye's regional role. Moscow maintains a calibrated approach—condemning attacks on Iranian sovereignty while avoiding direct engagement. Russian analysts suggest that if Tehran's influence diminishes, Türkiye and Azerbaijan could pursue more assertive policies in the Caucasus and Central Asia, positioning Ankara as both a diplomatic partner and potential geopolitical competitor in Moscow's calculus.

Development Road project to add $55B to Turkish economy

The multinational Development Road initiative is expected to inject approximately $55 billion into Türkiye's economy over the next decade while creating up to 70,000 annual jobs, according to Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. Speaking at an iftar event in Ankara, the minister outlined how the 1,200-kilometer trade corridor from Iraq's Grand Faw Port through Türkiye to Europe will solidify the nation's position as a global logistics hub connecting 67 countries within a four-hour flight radius.

Erdoğan commemorates 105th anniversary of Turkish national anthem

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked the 105th anniversary of Türkiye's national anthem adoption Thursday, honoring poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy. In a social media post, Erdoğan described the anthem as "the title deed of not only our independence but also our future," vowing to defend it until the last breath.

Türkiye says NATO assets intercepted Iranian munition entering Turkish airspace

Türkiye announced Friday that a ballistic munition launched from Iran entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Defense Ministry stated that all necessary measures are being taken decisively and consultations are underway with Iran to clarify the incident.

Israeli injuries from Iran strikes reach 2,975, ministry reports

A total of 2,975 Israelis have been injured and taken to hospitals since the war with Iran began on Feb. 28, Israel's Health Ministry announced Friday. Of those, 85 remain hospitalized including nine in serious condition, as the US-Israeli conflict with Tehran continues into its third week.