Erdoğan: European architecture without Türkiye 'remains incomplete and vulnerable'

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said a European architecture that does not include Türkiye in its rightful place would "remain incomplete and vulnerable in managing crises." He emphasized that Türkiye remains an "essential and indispensable" part of the EU process as a candidate country.

Erdoğan meets UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Istanbul on Friday. The meeting, also attended by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, took place at the Dolmabahçe Working Office. No further details were disclosed.

Erdoğan says Turkish defense industry 'trusted, preferred worldwide' as SAHA 2026 wraps with $8 billion in deals

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Türkiye's defense industry has become a trusted and preferred ecosystem attracting high demand worldwide, as SAHA 2026 concluded with 182 agreements totalling 8 billions business volume, including 6 billion in export-oriented deals.

Fidan, Iranian FM Araghchi discuss US-Iran talks in phone call

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to review the status of US-Iran talks. Iran said it is still reviewing a US proposal aimed at ending the conflict and will announce its final position once the review is completed.

Türkiye urges fairer burden-sharing on migration at UN forum

Türkiye urged stronger international cooperation and fairer responsibility-sharing in addressing global migration challenges, warning that frontline countries continue to shoulder a disproportionate burden from displacement crises. Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız said migration management must focus on humanitarian concerns and root causes.

Putin: Russian soldiers confronting 'aggressive force' armed by entire NATO

President Vladimir Putin said Russian soldiers are confronting "an aggressive force" armed and supported by entire NATO during a Victory Day parade speech on Red Square. He said Russian scientists are developing advanced weapons and expanding mass production, drawing on modern combat experience.

Russia confirms three-day ceasefire, prisoner swap with Ukraine announced by Trump

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed a three-day ceasefire and prisoner swap between Moscow and Kyiv announced by President Trump. The agreement follows a recent phone conversation between Putin and Trump, with Trump calling it "the beginning of the end" of the war.

US-Iran talks could resume next week in Islamabad, WSJ reports

Talks between the US and Iran could resume as early as next week in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, the Wall Street Journal reported. The two sides are working on a one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding that would set parameters for a month of talks aimed at ending the war.

Bahrain arrests 41 members of IRGC-linked group

As many as 41 members of a group linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were arrested in Bahrain, the Interior Ministry said. The arrests were the outcome of security investigations into cases of espionage and foreign interference.

Syria arrests former brigadier accused in 2013 Eastern Ghouta chemical attack

Syrian authorities arrested a former brigadier general accused of involvement in the 2013 chemical attack on Eastern Ghouta and other crimes under the deposed Bashar al-Assad regime. Khardal Ahmad Dayyub is accused of supervising repressive operations and coordinating shelling with banned chemical weapons.

Iran says US naval escalation deepens doubts about Washington's commitment to diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that recent US naval escalation in the Gulf has deepened doubts about Washington's seriousness toward diplomacy and efforts to end the war, accusing the US of repeatedly violating the ceasefire.

Trump warns US may escalate Hormuz posture if no Iran deal, threatening 'Project Freedom Plus'

President Trump warned that Washington may escalate its military posture in the Strait of Hormuz if a deal with Iran is not finalized, threatening to revive and expand the paused "Project Freedom" operation. "It'll be Project Freedom Plus," Trump said, without elaborating on additional measures.

Gaza flotilla activists subjected to violence, beatings during Israeli detention, committee head says

Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla were subjected to violence, beatings, dragging, handcuffing, and blindfolding during Israeli detention, the head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza told Anadolu. Youssef Ajissa described the violations as "a blatant violation of human dignity."

US intelligence believes Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei involved in wartime strategy, CNN reports

US intelligence agencies believe Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is involved in shaping Tehran's wartime strategy and negotiations with Washington despite remaining out of public view following injuries sustained during the war, CNN reported. Iranian officials insisted he is recovering well.

Türkiye secures $8B defense export deals at SAHA 2026

Turkish defense companies signed nearly $8 billion worth of export agreements during the opening days of the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition, marking a record performance for Türkiye’s growing defense industry.

ASEAN urges US, Iran to end war, warns of ‘limbo’ crisis

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has called on the US and Iran to cease hostilities and open the Strait of Hormuz. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., hosting the ASEAN summit, said peace is the “fundamental” first step to resolving the broader Middle East crisis.

Turkish business group urges Merz, EU leaders to revive Türkiye's stalled membership process

Türkiye's Foreign Economic Relations Board launched a public diplomacy campaign urging German Chancellor Merz and other European leaders to revive Türkiye's stalled EU membership process, arguing that "a strong Europe is impossible without Türkiye." The campaign includes open letters in major European newspapers.

Iran’s foreign minister: US chooses ‘reckless’ war

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of abandoning diplomacy for “reckless military adventure” whenever a deal nears. He also rejected US intelligence on Iran’s missile arsenal, claiming readiness at “1,000%” and missile capacity at 120% of pre-war levels.

Belgian queen leads major trade mission to Türkiye

Queen Mathilde of Belgium will head a five-day economic mission to Türkiye starting Sunday, joined by 428 delegates from 194 companies. The visit aims to boost bilateral trade and defense cooperation, with Belgium’s foreign minister saying “opportunities also lie in Türkiye.”

Türkiye targets top five in global participation finance

Türkiye plans to become one of the world’s five largest participation finance markets as the sector continues expanding globally. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek highlighted growth in Islamic banking, stronger economic indicators, and Türkiye’s reduced dependence on the Strait of Hormuz as signs of the country’s financial resilience and long-term economic strategy.

Trump warns EU to eliminate tariffs by July 4 or face higher trade barriers

President Trump warned the EU must eliminate its tariffs by the 250th anniversary of American independence or face significantly higher trade barriers, citing unfulfilled commitments from the Turnberry trade deal. He set a July 4, 2026, deadline for compliance.

Iran seizes 'violating' oil tanker in Gulf waters

Iran’s navy has seized a Barbados-flagged oil tanker, the Ocean Koi, for allegedly disrupting the country’s oil exports. Naval commandos intercepted the vessel, which was carrying Iranian crude, and escorted it to southern Iran for judicial proceedings.

UAE intercepts Iranian missiles, drones; 3 hurt

The UAE’s air defense systems shot down two ballistic missiles and three drones launched from Iran, leaving three people with moderate injuries. Since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, the UAE has intercepted over 2,800 projectiles, including 551 ballistic missiles.

Trump says hantavirus outbreak ‘under control’ in US

President Trump said the hantavirus situation remains “under control” after being briefed on cases linked to a ship. The CDC has activated a Level 3 emergency response, the lowest tier, as five cases including three deaths have been reported.

Tense hours in Hormuz: Eyes on peace, hands on alert

Tensions soared in the Strait of Hormuz after US forces struck targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas. Washington insists the ceasefire remains intact, but Tehran has vowed retaliation, accusing America of violating the truce. Diplomatic efforts for a lasting deal continue.