Türkiye-Spain ties hit record highs in trade and tourism

Bilateral trade between Türkiye and Spain surged to a record $20.6 billion in 2025, with Turkish exports exceeding $10 billion for the first time. Spanish tourist arrivals also reached an all-time high of 452,790, reflecting deepening economic and cultural ties between the two nations.

Türkiye, Algeria hold diplomatic consultations in Istanbul

Senior diplomats from Türkiye and Algeria convened in Istanbul Saturday for bilateral political and regional consultations. Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklıkaya and Algerian Foreign Ministry Secretary General Lounes Magramane co-chaired the talks, reviewing the current state of bilateral relations and discussing regional developments.

President Erdoğan offers condolences to Saudi crown prince, urges diplomacy

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for attacks targeting the kingdom during a Saturday phone call. The leaders discussed regional tensions, with Erdoğan reaffirming Türkiye's commitment to diplomatic resolution and dialogue amid the escalating conflict.

Iran halts attacks on neighbors, apologizes, but warns against aggression

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced Saturday that Tehran will cease attacks on neighboring countries unless strikes are launched from their territory. He apologized to regional nations, stating Iran has "no intention of invading," while rejecting expectations of unconditional surrender and warning that those hoping for it "will take their dreams to the grave."

Fidan holds diplomatic calls with five counterparts amid regional tensions

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted telephone diplomacy Friday with his counterparts from Oman, Qatar, Estonia, the Netherlands, and Brazil, diplomatic sources confirmed. The outreach comes as the US-Israeli offensive against Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes continue to escalate across the region.

Trump claims Iran 'surrendered,' warns of more strikes

President Donald Trump declared Saturday that Iran has apologized to neighboring countries and promised to halt attacks following sustained US-Israeli military pressure. Trump warned of further strikes against previously untargeted areas, as Tehran's ambitions to dominate the region have been halted for "the first time in thousands of years."

Saudi air defenses intercept missile targeting base, drones near oil field

Saudi Arabia's air defense systems successfully intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base on Friday, authorities confirmed. Earlier, several drones targeting the kingdom's Shaybah Oil Field were also destroyed, as retaliatory attacks linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran continue to target Gulf nations.

Fahrettin Altun appointed Turkish ambassador to Vatican in diplomatic reshuffle

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan named Fahrettin Altun, former head of the Communications Directorate, as Türkiye's ambassador to the Holy See in a new round of diplomatic postings published Saturday. Other appointments include envoys to Vienna, Georgia, and Albania.

Qatar says 9 of 10 Iranian drones intercepted in latest attack

Qatar's Defense Ministry announced early Saturday that its forces successfully neutralized nine Iranian attack drones, with a tenth crashing in an uninhabited area. No casualties were reported, as Tehran continues its retaliatory campaign against Gulf states hosting US military assets.

Trump declares US 'doing very well' in Iran, claims military destroyed

President Donald Trump boasted Friday that American strikes against Iran are succeeding spectacularly, claiming Tehran's navy, communications, and leadership are "gone" and its air force "wiped out entirely." The remarks came as the US-Israeli campaign's death toll surpassed 1,000, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iraq downs drones near Basra vital site, seizes rocket vehicle near Baghdad

Iraqi security forces shot down two drones near a strategic facility in Basra Friday, while authorities west of Baghdad seized a vehicle rigged with rockets before they could be launched. A drone was also downed near an Erbil hotel, as Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting US-linked assets continue to impact Iraq.

Turkish top general joins NATO talks as allies condemn Iranian attack on Türkiye

Chief of General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu participated in a NATO Military Committee video conference Friday, where regional defense and security issues were discussed. Separately, the North Atlantic Council met and strongly condemned the Iranian missile targeting Türkiye, expressing full solidarity with Ankara.

Türkiye monitors citizen safety across Middle East amid escalating war

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Öncü Keçeli announced Friday that Ankara is closely monitoring the safety of Turkish citizens in Middle Eastern countries affected by the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. Emergency measures include 24/7 hotlines, evacuation guidance, and efforts to arrange overland transport where flights are unavailable.

Putin voices support for Iran, urges diplomatic solution in call with Pezeshkian

Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow's call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East during a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Putin reiterated condolences over the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and stressed the need for a return to political and diplomatic resolution.

US-Israeli strikes damage Tehran newspaper headquarters, IFJ confirms

The International Federation of Journalists reported Friday that the headquarters of Iran's national daily Sazandegi in Tehran sustained heavy damage in joint US-Israeli strikes. The reformist newspaper's building was directly hit, though no casualties were reported, as the conflict's sixth day saw the death toll surpass 1,000.

Türkiye denies asking UK's MI6 to protect Syria's al-Sharaa

Türkiye's Communications Directorate has refuted media reports claiming Turkish intelligence requested British MI6 to increase protection for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The anti-disinformation center labeled the reports as "not true," while highlighting ongoing counterterrorism cooperation between Turkish and Syrian authorities.

White House claims 90% drop in Iranian missile attacks since war began

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced Friday that Iranian retaliatory strikes against the US and allies have decreased 90% over six days of conflict. She confirmed President Trump will attend a dignified transfer ceremony for six fallen service members, while reiterating that the president seeks Iran's "unconditional surrender."

Fidan discusses regional tensions with Armenian counterpart in phone call

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation Friday with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan to discuss developments in the region, diplomatic sources confirmed. The call comes amid escalating conflict following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks affecting multiple neighboring countries.

Erdoğan, Meloni discuss regional conflicts, urge diplomatic solutions

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed bilateral ties and regional developments in a phone call Friday, with Erdoğan warning against steps that could increase instability. The Turkish leader stressed the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation as conflicts expand across the Middle East.

Türkiye extends flight suspensions across Middle East amid worsening security

Türkiye has extended flight suspensions to multiple Middle Eastern destinations due to escalating security risks from the Iran-US-Israeli conflict, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced Friday. Airspace closures continue across seven countries with grounded aircraft at Turkish airports as authorities monitor the volatile situation.

Turkish Embassy in Manama organizes bus service to Riyadh for citizens leaving Bahrain

The Turkish Embassy in Manama announced Friday it will organize bus services to Riyadh for Turkish citizens wishing to leave Bahrain due to Iranian retaliation against US-Israeli attacks and the closure of Bahraini airspace. The six-to-seven hour journey requires Saudi visas obtained online before travel.

First 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury cost US estimated $5.82 billion

The initial 100 hours of the US-Israeli "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran have cost an estimated $5.82 billion, including $3.3 billion in operational expenses and $2.52 billion in lost military assets, according to Anadolu calculations. Major losses include a $1.1 billion radar system in Qatar and three F-15E fighter jets destroyed in friendly fire.

UN rights chief urges immediate de-escalation as Middle East conflict widens

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called Friday for urgent containment of the Middle East escalation, warning that "inflammatory, bellicose rhetoric" and continued bombing are fueling further violence. Turk expressed concern over civilian sites being targeted, Lebanon becoming a flashpoint, and the need for human control over AI weapons systems.

Trump demands role in choosing Iran's next supreme leader, calls Khamenei's son 'unacceptable'

President Donald Trump asserted Thursday he expects personal involvement in selecting Iran's next leader, comparing it to his role in Venezuela's post-Maduro transition. Trump dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain supreme leader's son, as "a lightweight" and warned that a wrong choice would drag the US back to war within five years.

US seeks Kurdish ground offensive in Iran as Kurds reject 'pawn' role

The Trump administration has approached Iraqi and Iranian Kurdish leaders proposing logistical support and air cover for a ground campaign inside Iran, aiming to destabilize the regime from within. Kurdish figures, however, are resisting the overtures, with Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed declaring: "Leave the Kurds alone. We are not mercenaries."