Erdoğan: Türkiye on side of peace, working to extinguish Iran war flames

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated Ankara's "clear" stance on Iran Wednesday, emphasizing Türkiye is always on the side of peace and working intensively for a ceasefire. Slamming Israeli actions, Erdoğan noted even Israelis now call Netanyahu their "biggest disaster since the Holocaust" as they spend nights in shelters.

Turkish FM Fidan meets UN chief Guterres in Ankara

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a meeting Thursday with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the capital Ankara, diplomatic sources confirmed. The visit is part of Guterres' annual "solidarity trip" to recognize Türkiye's longstanding humanitarian contributions, though no immediate details about the discussions were released.

NATO's missile defense purely defensive, Türkiye's ministry says

The Turkish Defense Ministry clarified Thursday that NATO's ballistic missile defense system is "entirely defensive in nature" and supports the alliance's core missions of deterrence and defense. In response to frequently asked questions, the ministry detailed how the system operates through sensors, command-and-control networks, and interceptors, while listing allied contributions including Türkiye's early-warning radar in Malatya.

Türkiye: Greece's island actions violate treaties, harm bilateral ties

Türkiye's National Defense Ministry accused Greece Thursday of violating existing treaties regarding the status of certain islands, calling the actions unlawful and harmful to bilateral neighborly relations. The ministry stated that Türkiye rejects Greece's "self-serving moves" and exploitation of regional crises.

Türkiye, Saudi defense chiefs discuss regional security amid Iran conflict

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and Saudi counterpart Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud discussed bilateral and regional defense issues in a phone call Wednesday, condemning Iranian attacks and reaffirming commitment to protecting their nations' security amid the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran.

NATO support for Türkiye would test alliance readiness, expert says

Security experts warned at a Paris roundtable Wednesday that NATO's response to any escalation involving Türkiye would test the alliance's preparedness. Speakers cautioned that the US-Israeli campaign against Iran could expand toward the Gulf, affecting global security and energy prices, while questioning the future of the rules-based international order amid rising national interests and disregard for international law.

Zelenskyy seeks major US drone deal amid shifting focus

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Wednesday that Kyiv is pursuing a comprehensive agreement with Washington on drone production, but White House approval remains pending. Zelenskyy expressed hope that escalating Middle East tensions might prompt greater US interest in the deal, while acknowledging the regional conflict has already diverted attention and impacted arms supplies to Ukraine.

IEA releases 400 million barrels of strategic oil reserves amid Hormuz crisis

International Energy Agency member countries have agreed to release 400 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves, the largest such coordinated action in the agency's history. The UK will contribute 13.5 million barrels as global markets grapple with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 million barrels of oil normally pass daily.

Iran rejects US talks amid ongoing 'war crimes'

Iran announced Thursday it cannot consider US calls for negotiations while facing what it describes as "war crimes" from American-Israeli attacks. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei revealed Tehran had been negotiating "in good faith" before the Feb. 28 offensive, with talks reportedly nearing agreement, making the subsequent military escalation particularly damaging to diplomatic prospects.

Trump quotes general on destroying Iranian ships: 'It's a lot more fun this way'

President Donald Trump told a Kentucky rally that a US general prefers destroying Iranian vessels over capturing them "because it's more fun doing it this way." Trump also claimed American forces have "knocked out" 58 Iranian ships in Operation Epic Fury, including 54 in just two days, as the unpopular war faces widespread public opposition.

Russia sends 13 tons of medical aid to Iran via Azerbaijan

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry announced Thursday it has dispatched 13 tons of humanitarian aid, consisting of medicines, to Iran via Azerbaijan. The shipment, ordered by President Vladimir Putin, will be transferred to Iranian authorities after delivery to Azerbaijan amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iran warns strikes from US bases in neighboring countries 'unacceptable'

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Wednesday that any attack on Iran launched from US military installations in neighboring countries would be "unacceptable under any circumstances." Speaking during a phone call with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Pezeshkian also recalled a strike on a school in Minab that killed 168 students.

Israeli injuries from Iranian strikes reach 2,745, 14 killed since Feb. 28

Israeli Health Ministry reported Thursday that 2,745 people have been injured in Iranian missile and drone attacks since late February, with 85 still hospitalized including 11 in serious condition. Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies confirmed 14 Israeli fatalities as the US-Israeli war with Iran continues.

Israelis shelter in parking garage, sanctuary as Iranian missiles strike Tel Aviv

Israelis took cover in a parking garage and sanctuary on March 10 after air raid sirens were activated following Iran's retaliatory missile attack on Tel Aviv. The images capture the daily reality for civilians as the 13-day conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces continues to escalate.

Iranian retaliation devastates Tel Aviv, sparks exodus as 9,115 damage cases recorded

Iranian missile strikes over 12 days have caused widespread destruction in Israel, with 9,115 damage cases recorded including 4,609 in Tel Aviv alone, according to Jerusalem Post. Social life in the capital has ground to a halt as 205 were wounded in 24 hours and desperate citizens flock to Ben Gurion Airport seeking escape.

Iraq halts oil port operations after tanker attacked in territorial waters

Iraq suspended operations at its oil ports Thursday following an attack on an oil tanker in territorial waters that caused a fire onboard, local media reported. Commercial ports continue normal operations as authorities investigate the incident, which threatens critical oil exports amid regional tensions.

Tehran mayor says 9,000 targets struck in first 10 days of US-Israeli war

US and Israeli forces struck 9,000 targets during the first 10 days of the war on Iran, Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani said Thursday, according to state television. The figure dwarfs the 1,450 targets hit during last June's 12-day conflict, as debris removal operations continue in the capital.

Erdoğan: Türkiye stands with peace, not war, in Iran crisis

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to diplomacy Wednesday, declaring Türkiye is "on the side of peace, not war" amid the escalating Iran conflict. Speaking at an iftar in Ankara, Erdoğan stressed the country is working to "extinguish the fire before the flames grow larger" and prevent further bloodshed.

Eight Muslim nations, led by Türkiye, demand global action to halt Israel's Jerusalem violations

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and five other Muslim-majority countries issued a joint statement Wednesday condemning Israel's continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque to worshippers during Ramadan. The ministers described the restrictions as a "flagrant violation" of international law and affirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem's holy sites.

Hakan Fidan receives full support from Austrian counterpart: Missile crisis on agenda

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a telephone conversation Wednesday with his Austrian counterpart Beate Meinl-Reisinger to assess regional developments. The Austrian minister expressed solidarity with Türkiye following recent missile incidents where NATO air defenses neutralized projectiles that entered Turkish airspace amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Halkbank and US Justice Department deferred prosecution agreement takes effect

Turkish state lender Halkbank announced Wednesday that its deferred prosecution agreement with the US Justice Department has officially taken effect following a hearing at the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The bank confirmed the agreement is binding on both parties, with no admission of wrongdoing or payment of fines required.

Turkish ambassador to Serbia honors slain diplomat, praises Belgrade's fight against FETO

Turkish Ambassador Ilhan Saygili commemorated the 43rd anniversary of diplomat Ahmet Galip Balkar's assassination by ASALA militants in Belgrade, praising Serbia for preventing FETO's presence on its territory. Saygili stressed that combating terrorism requires unified international effort, noting 31 Turkish diplomats and family members have been killed in foreign attacks.

Israel says it has struck 3,400 Iranian targets with 6,000 airstrikes

A senior Israeli military official announced Thursday that Israeli forces have carried out more than 6,000 airstrikes on 3,400 targets in Iran since the conflict began on Feb. 28. The strikes are part of the joint US-Israeli campaign that has killed over 1,300 people including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Trump declares US 'won' war with Iran but vows to finish the job

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the United States has "won" the war with Iran but will continue military operations until the job is finished. Speaking in Kentucky, Trump said US forces "virtually destroyed Iran," claiming 58 Iranian naval ships were knocked out and the operation succeeded from "the first hour."

Iran's UN envoy: 1,348 civilians killed, 17,000 injured in US-Israeli strikes

Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, reported Wednesday that more than 1,348 civilians have been killed and over 17,000 injured since US-Israeli attacks began on Feb. 28. Iravani called on the international community to take action, describing the strikes as violations of international law and the UN Charter.