Fidan warns against ‘lasting hostilities’ as regional war risks expanding

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored Ankara’s commitment to halting the widening Middle East conflict and preventing what he described as “lasting hostilities” that could destabilize the region for generations. In an interview with A Haber news channel on Friday, Fidan outlined Türkiye’s consistent objectives since the outset of the war: to prevent the conflict, stop it once it began, contain its spread, and shield Türkiye from being drawn into the violence. He emphasized that hostilities between nations often persist for years after wars end, blocking cooperation, development, and prosperity.

Diplomatic efforts gain traction amid US-Israeli offensive

Fidan revealed that negotiations to end the war have begun, with Pakistan playing a central role in facilitating communication between the parties. “The Americans are coordinating this with us, and we are informing the Iranians,” he said, adding that some progress has been made in the talks. He noted that the destruction inflicted on Iran has altered expectations from pre-war positions, making mediation more challenging but expressing hope that efforts would continue. Fidan hinted at a possible meeting involving Türkiye, Pakistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in Pakistan over the weekend to assess the state of negotiations and potential next steps.

Israel accused of obstructing peace, sowing regional discord

Fidan delivered sharp criticism of Israeli policy, accusing the government of Benjamin Netanyahu of structural influence over US politics and pursuing its own regional ambitions at the expense of stability. “The biggest obstacle to peace right now is Israel’s stance,” he stated, warning of what he called “Israeli expansionism” and efforts to sow discord among nations in the region. He noted that several Gulf countries have been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones, and that Türkiye has advised restraint, cautioning that retaliatory actions could play into Israel’s desired scenario of prolonged conflict among Islamic countries. Fidan emphasized that the “war initiated unlawfully by the US and Israel, in violation of international law, is increasingly facing the danger of regional expansion.”

Türkiye’s balancing act amid regional crisis

Ankara has positioned itself as a key diplomatic actor working to prevent the conflict from spiraling further. Fidan confirmed he remains in frequent contact with Egyptian, European, and regional counterparts, while Türkiye continues to advocate for restraint among Gulf states that have come under attack. He reiterated that Türkiye’s primary goal is to stop the war, prevent its spread, and avoid the emergence of long-term instability. As the conflict enters its second month, Türkiye’s mediation efforts have gained attention from regional and international powers seeking pathways to de-escalation.