Erdogan hosts EU leaders during NATO summit in Ankara

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a working dinner on Wednesday as part of diplomatic engagements during the NATO summit held at the presidential complex in Ankara, with the closed-door discussions focusing on bilateral ties and regional security cooperation.

Türkiye's foreign policy now key global force, official says

Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran said Wednesday that Türkiye has evolved from a regional actor into an influential force in the global system, highlighting Ankara's central role in the "NATO 3.0" vision and its diplomatic efforts to secure calm in Gaza and Lebanon.

Erdogan declares NATO summit 'historic' success in Ankara

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the 2026 NATO summit a "historic" success on Wednesday, highlighting Türkiye's leading defense capabilities within the alliance and confirming positive discussions with Washington regarding F-35 fighter jet deliveries and bilateral military cooperation.

Trump says NATO ‘came a long way’ at Ankara summit

President Donald Trump declared that NATO “came a long way” at the Ankara summit, adding that the alliance “made some concessions.” He also said the US made “a lot of good trade deals” with Türkiye, calling it “a very good partner.”

Trump lauds Erdogan as 'great leader,' hails Ankara summit

US President Donald Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "great leader" and long-time friend on Wednesday as the two-day NATO summit concluded in Ankara, saying the alliance demonstrated "tremendous unity" while urging members to accelerate plans to meet the 5% GDP defense spending benchmark.

Trump’s return flight from Ankara sparks curiosity with aircraft switch

President Donald Trump arrived in Ankara for the NATO summit aboard a new Air Force One gifted by Qatar. However, he departed Türkiye on an older presidential aircraft, switching back to the new plane at an RAF base in the UK to allow US personnel to inspect it.

Iran’s Qalibaf: Hormuz to open only under ‘Iranian arrangements’

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has declared that the Strait of Hormuz will open only under “Iranian arrangements,” not US threats. He warned that “if you strike, you will be struck,” following fresh US strikes on Iran.

Israeli DefMin: We don’t need permission to stay in Lebanon

Defense Minister Israel Katz has rejected President Trump’s remarks suggesting Israel would withdraw from Lebanon, stating that Israel “does not need permission to stay.” He said forces will remain in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed, despite a US-backed framework agreement.

Hormuz traffic nearly halts as fresh US-Iran strikes rattle shipping

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill after renewed US strikes on Iran and fresh attacks on commercial vessels. Only 14 commodity carriers crossed the waterway on Wednesday, the lowest number since the interim peace deal in mid-June, with movements largely confined to an Iranian-approved northern route.

US vows to 'knock the hell out of' Iran if Hormuz shipping attacked

Vice President JD Vance said Washington will resume military strikes if Tehran continues targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of violating a recent agreement to halt attacks within a week of its signing.

Russia says NATO focused on confrontation after Ankara summit

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the alliance's July 7-8 gathering in Türkiye's capital failed to live up to Secretary General Mark Rutte's 'historic' billing, warning that NATO's confrontational stance and massive military spending risk catastrophe for the world.

Erdogan hosts Syria's Sharaa at NATO summit in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa discussed strengthening bilateral ties and regional stability during a closed-door meeting in Ankara on Wednesday, with the summit taking place as Ankara hosts NATO leaders for a two-day gathering focused on defense and security.

Turkish FM: NATO Ankara summit concluded successfully

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared the NATO summit in Ankara a success, noting that all allies attended at the leaders' level as a sign of confidence in Türkiye and President Erdoğan. He said the summit laid the foundations for “a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO” under the NATO 3.0 vision.

US strikes on five Iranian provinces kill 14, injure 78

The Iranian Health Ministry said Thursday that US military strikes on five provinces over the past two days killed at least 14 people and injured 78 others, as Washington declared a Pakistan-brokered ceasefire agreement "over" and triggered a renewed offensive.

Merz says Ankara summit marks dawn of 'new, more European' NATO

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday praised the Ankara summit as the dawn of a new era for NATO in which European nations assume greater responsibility for their own defense, acknowledging that US President Donald Trump was right to criticize years of European underinvestment.

US senators say Türkiye’s return to F-35 program would benefit NATO’s defense capacity

US senators have stated that Türkiye’s potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program would be a positive step for both Ankara and Washington. Senator Jeanne Shaheen said Türkiye’s defense industry infrastructure is widely recognised in Congress for its contributions to NATO, though concerns over the S‑400 system remain.

Iran vows to answer US 'vulgarity' with 'action' after Trump insults

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran responds to "vulgarity" with action rather than words after US President Donald Trump threatened further military strikes against the Islamic Republic and called Iranians "scum" while speaking on the margins of the NATO summit in Ankara.

Iran threatens to close Hormuz Strait completely if US resumes strikes

An Iranian security source told state media on Wednesday that Tehran will completely block the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic following any new American military strikes, vowing to retaliate against enemy targets at a ratio of two-to-one as regional tensions reach new heights.

Iran army targets US bases in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain

Iran's army said Thursday it launched drone strikes against Patriot air defense systems and fuel storage facilities at US military bases in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, as the Revolutionary Guards warned Washington that crushing responses would extend to other American installations if attacks continue.

US redeploys refueling aircraft to Middle East amid Iran escalation

The US has begun returning aerial refueling aircraft to its Middle East bases amid rising tensions with Iran. Israeli officials believe Washington would greenlight an Israeli response to Tehran. The move follows an exchange of strikes between the US and Iran, with Trump declaring the ceasefire “over.”

US launches fresh strikes on Iran after Trump warns ceasefire ‘over’

US Central Command announced a new round of strikes against Iran to degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation came hours after President Trump declared the US-Iran memorandum “over” and said further strikes were likely.

Erdoğan, Macron hold closed-door talks on NATO sidelines

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met French President Emmanuel Macron in Ankara for closed-door talks on the margins of the NATO summit. The meeting covered bilateral relations and regional issues.

Erdoğan welcomes NATO leaders as Ankara summit kicks off

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed NATO leaders at the 36th summit in Ankara, greeting each head of state including President Trump. A family photo was taken before Erdoğan and Secretary General Rutte delivered opening remarks, with defence investment and Ukraine topping the agenda.

Erdoğan receives Italy’s Meloni for talks in Ankara

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Ankara for closed-door talks on the second day of the NATO summit. The meeting covered bilateral relations and regional issues.

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