Fidan: Iran's strategy of bombing all Gulf countries is 'incredibly wrong'

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered a sharp assessment Tuesday of Iran's retaliatory campaign against Gulf countries, describing Tehran's approach of bombing regional states "without making any distinction" as deeply misguided. Speaking to state broadcaster TRT Haber amid escalating US-Israeli strikes on Iran that have killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top commanders, Fidan warned that the region faces "extremely critical" days as conflict spreads.

Iran's flawed strategy

Fidan stated that when Tehran perceives an existential threat, it adopts an approach of "if I go down, I will take the region with me," targeting other countries' energy infrastructure. "Iran knows very well how vital the energy infrastructure in key regional countries is for the global economy, stability and energy security, and it carries out its attacks accordingly," he said. The minister noted that despite Gulf countries' efforts to prevent conflict—with Qatar's prime minister still trying to avert war up to an hour before the attack—Iran bombed mediators including Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan. "This is, in my view, an incredibly wrong strategy," Fidan declared, adding that such actions "significantly" increase regional risks and are wrong from both regional friends' and Iran's own perspectives.

Pre-war diplomatic efforts revealed

Fidan detailed extensive diplomatic engagement before the Feb. 28 strikes, revealing that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the situation with US President Donald Trump on Jan. 27 when Washington was nearing a decision. Fidan hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul on Jan. 30. He proposed a negotiation architecture where Americans would discuss two demands while regional countries handled two others—an approach Washington initially accepted. However, after seeking Tehran's approval, Iran reverted to its previous negotiation format. Following Feb. 27 talks, Fidan said he spoke separately with all three sides and concluded developments were not moving positively, relaying concerns directly to Erdoğan.

US pressure and Israeli role

Fidan emphasized that "immense pressure from Israel" influenced the decision-making environment, suggesting that if Iran had better understood the pressure Trump faced and offered concessions earlier, Israel's influence might have been reduced. He noted that discussions between Iranian and American officials had taken place on various dates, but ambiguity about Washington's position persisted. Regarding potential ceasefire efforts, Fidan indicated Iran appears more open to a truce, but persuading Washington requires compelling arguments that Tehran would also accept. "The appropriate negotiating actor must present it in a way where no one appears humiliated, no one looks like they are losing, and everyone emerges as if they have gained," he said.

Türkiye's mediation role

Fidan stressed that Türkiye could serve as a mediator if needed, though any proposal's substance must first be solidly developed. He described ongoing contacts as diplomats search for a ceasefire path, emphasizing that "the actor that will stop Israel is America." Regional and European countries must clearly explain their concerns to Washington, as they would be most affected by various scenarios. Türkiye, Fidan said, is "right in the middle of all these discussions."

War aims and expansion risks

Analyzing the conflict's trajectory, Fidan outlined two possible US objectives: eliminating Iran's military capabilities or pursuing regime change. "The duration of the war, its form, its spread, and the risks it poses will all change according to these two objectives," he explained. He warned that if countries attacked exercise their right to retaliate, the war could widen further. With US bases, energy infrastructure and civilian facilities being targeted, restraint becomes increasingly difficult. "This risk of expansion frankly worries us," Fidan admitted.

Crisis management and economic impacts

Fidan revealed that Ankara has convened intensive interagency coordination meetings involving the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry and National Intelligence Organization to assess evolving scenarios, with President Erdoğan briefed almost hourly. He warned that energy markets are already feeling the war's impact, with ripple effects likely to include energy shortages in Europe and renewed inflationary pressures. Markets adjusting to a new risk environment present additional challenges, he added.

Gaza concerns

Turning to Gaza, Fidan said the current war has not improved conditions in the besieged Palestinian enclave and warned that provocations could undermine fragile ceasefire arrangements. Türkiye, he said, is simultaneously working to halt the broader conflict while addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. "Our eyes and ears are there," he affirmed.