Politics
‘Türkiye stands firmly on side of peace as world order collapsing’
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday that the post–World War II global system is “cracking at its foundations” and warned that the world is being dragged into a chaotic era where might is right once again shapes global politics, stressing that Türkiye will not remain neutral in crises affecting its region and humanity.
Speaking at an iftar with lawmakers at the Turkish Parliament, Erdoğan cautioned that global instability is deepening and that the international system is being pulled toward an increasingly chaotic phase, underscoring the need for responsible leadership and stronger diplomacy to prevent further turbulence.
“We are collectively witnessing a global axis shift,” he said, adding that international agreements have become “patchworks,” international law is being sidelined and multilateral principles symbolized by the United Nations are being hollowed out by the very countries that built the system.
“The system established after the Second World War is quite literally collapsing,” Erdoğan said. “The world is heating up to a point where the smallest spark could ignite a fire. Global injustice is widening and becoming chronic. As the old order crumbles, no one yet knows what will replace it.”
Erdoğan said recent attacks on Iran have once again exposed the fragility of the global order, adding that the normalization of lawlessness, confrontation and tension has become one of the most serious risks facing the international community.
He emphasized that Türkiye has a clear and principled stance: “We are never neutral on matters affecting our region and humanity. We stand on the side of peace and stability, not conflict. We stand for dialogue, diplomacy, justice and cooperation. We stand against killing, oppression, banditry and all acts that violate human dignity.”
Erdoğan said Türkiye will continue to defend the rights of the oppressed and oppose global injustices “with courage,” just as it has done in past crises. He vowed that the country will maintain its principled position despite attempts to suppress the truth or pressure Ankara into silence.
Turning to domestic security, Erdoğan said one of the key pillars of the “Century of Türkiye” vision is the goal of a Türkiye and a region free of terrorism. He praised Parliament’s capacity to address even the most complex national issues and highlighted the work of the newly formed National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, which recently approved its final report with cross-party support.
“Our duty is to remain prudent, calm and steadfast,” Erdoğan said. “As missiles fly in our neighborhood, we will act with caution and patience – but also with strength in the face of injustice. We are preparing for the Century of Türkiye by strengthening our economy, diplomacy, military and national unity.”
Two Turkish journalists reporting live from Tel Aviv were detained by Israeli security forces on Tuesday, prompting strong condemnation from Turkish officials who described the move as a clear violation of press freedom.
CNN Türk Correspondent Emrah Çakmak and cameraman Halil Kahraman were taken into custody while covering developments in the Israeli capital, the network said. CNN Türk operates under a licensing agreement with the parent company of CNN International.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesman Ömer Çelik said the arrests amounted to an attack on the public’s right to information.
“This decision is unacceptable. Journalists must be released immediately,” he wrote on social media, adding that Ankara is following the situation closely.
Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said Israel was once again targeting journalists in an effort to suppress reporting.
“We are taking the necessary steps to secure their release and are monitoring the matter with great care,” he said.
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel also condemned the detentions, stressing that no state has the right to restrict access to information through arbitrary measures.
Mehmet Danış, the head of Türkiye’s media watchdog RTÜK, denounced the detentions as another attempt to block the flow of truthful reporting. He said efforts to secure the journalists’ release were ongoing and that authorities were handling the process with “sensitivity and precision.”
Israel is notorious for its treatment of journalists and is responsible for two-thirds of the total number of journalists killed in the world in 2025.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed regional developments with his British counterpart, Yvette Cooper, on the phone, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.
Fidan and Cooper discussed the diplomatic efforts that could be undertaken to end the ongoing conflict and establish stability, according to the sources.
Fidan also held calls with leaders and his counterparts from Qatar, Greece and Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)-held region.
Turkish diplomatic sources said Fidan discussed the latest developments in the region with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis and KRG President Nechirvan Barzani.
The calls came as a U.S.-Israeli military campaign, launched Saturday against Iran, has killed several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as several neighboring countries that are home to US assets.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said a change in Iran’s leadership could create a rare opening to halt the conflict, as he warned against Tehran’s “self-destructive” approach to bomb Gulf neighbors.
Fidan said the Middle East is experiencing one of its most volatile moments in decades, but noted that the political transition in Iran could produce a diplomatic window the region has not had since the fighting began. “A new leadership structure may reshape Iran’s decision-making and create an opportunity to stop the war,” he told a live broadcast on TRT Haber news channel.
Fidan said the political transition now underway in Iran could create a narrow but meaningful opening to stop the conflict. “The new leadership in Iran may show greater flexibility at this stage,” he said, noting that decision-making is currently in the hands of a temporary three-member council until a permanent leader is chosen. “This could be a window of opportunity, if used wisely.”
He stressed that any diplomatic framework must balance concerns on both sides. “It must be a formula that does not humiliate the Iranians, while also addressing the legitimate worries of others,” he said. Otherwise, he warned, prolonging the war would carry “far worse consequences than any concession that might be made.”
“Iran’s indiscriminate bombing of all these Gulf countries is an unbelievably wrong strategy,” Fidan said.
Fidan said many Gulf states had worked intensely to prevent the outbreak of the war, stressing that he personally witnessed their efforts. He noted that Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister were still trying to stop the escalation “until an hour before the attack,” acting in ways that were effectively in Iran’s interest at the time. Despite this, Fidan said Tehran launched widespread strikes without distinction, targeting Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. “Iran’s indiscriminate bombing of all these countries was an unbelievably wrong strategy,” he said, arguing that it heightened regional risks and was also counterproductive from Iran’s own perspective.
He added that several of these states had not allowed their airspace or bases to be used against Iran, had declared neutrality in advance and even worked to stop the war. Attacking such countries, he said, revealed how serious Iran’s threat perception had become. “It reflects a mindset of ‘if I go down, the region goes down with me,’” he said.
The top Turkish diplomat said the region is witnessing one of its most critical periods in decades, noting that the latest conflict involving Iran has intensified a cycle of instability that has already scarred the Middle East for the past 20 years.
Fidan said the course and duration of the conflict will depend largely on the goals of the actors involved. He noted two distinct objectives shaping the current military campaign: one focused on degrading Iran’s military capabilities, and another aimed at bringing about regime change.
“These are two very different concepts,” he said. “The length of the war, how it expands and the risks it creates will vary depending on which objective is pursued.”
He added that Türkiye has already begun coordinating with several countries to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. “Our priority is to form a common understanding with key partners and take steps that can stop the conflict from spiraling into something worse,” he said.
Fidan described a tense period in January, saying that the region came extremely close to a major war. One pivotal moment, he noted, was a phone call on Jan. 27 between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump, which he called “historic.” At the time, Washington was close to deciding on a military strike. Fidan said U.S. officials contacted him directly during those days, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
On Jan. 30, Türkiye hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Istanbul. Fidan said intense Turkish diplomacy produced a format for renewed talks. Washington had been pushing to resolve four issues simultaneously, while Iran rejected the approach. Türkiye proposed splitting the agenda: two issues would be discussed directly between Washington and Tehran, and two would be addressed by regional countries.
“When we explained the structure to the Americans, they immediately accepted,” he said. The Iranians asked for time to consult their leadership and eventually agreed to return to the earlier negotiation format.
Fidan said this effort effectively paused the immediate threat of war.
“A conflict that could have erupted within one or two days was temporarily halted,” he said. He publicly stated at the time that there was no war “as of now,” a comment he recalls making around Feb. 8 or 9. Talks continued in Umman on Feb. 6 and in Geneva on Feb. 26. But friction persisted, and the war eventually broke out on Feb. 28.
The foreign minister said the negotiation process should have ended formally if the United States decided the talks were no longer useful. “There should have been an official statement saying, ‘I am leaving the talks because they did not produce the result I expected,’” he said, arguing that such a declaration was necessary for diplomatic protocol.
Fidan said he met with all sides – Iran, the mediator and the United States – after the last Geneva meeting and realized the process was deteriorating. There was a gap, he said, between the pace Iran wanted and the urgency Washington felt, which was further intensified by Israeli pressure. Still, he believes a positive outcome on the nuclear issue was within reach.
“If the process had continued a little longer, a result could have been achieved,” he said, while acknowledging that both sides were demanding concessions that would have required time.
He added that Iran misread the pressure Trump was under. “If the Iranians had recognized the decision pressure Trump faced and put something on the table earlier, Israel’s pressure might not have been as effective,” he said. Instead, events unfolded differently, and the war began on Feb. 28.
Türkiye’s Communications Directorate denied Wednesday the claims circulating on social media that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would become a legitimate target for Türkiye if it attacked Iran.
The Directorate’s Center for Countering Disinformation (DMM) said in a statement posted on its official social media accounts that the allegations were false and not based on any official statement by Turkish authorities.
“There has been no statement or assessment by the official institutions of the Republic of Türkiye suggesting such a position,” the statement noted.
The center added that Türkiye’s policy focuses on reducing regional tensions and promoting stability through diplomacy and dialogue rather than escalation.
The statement underlined, “Türkiye advocates a stance that prioritizes the preservation of peace and stability on the basis of diplomacy, dialogue and international law.”
Officials also urged the public to rely only on information released by official institutions when evaluating such claims.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated several times that preserving stability in Iran and across the wider region is critical, emphasizing that Türkiye is working intensively to ensure calm and helping reestablish a diplomatic track.
Ankara has engaged in intensive diplomacy over the past four days following joint U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a series of diplomatic contacts, meeting with the U.S. ambassador to Ankara Tuesday and speaking with several regional and international counterparts about recent developments in the region, officials said.
Fidan met with U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Ankara, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The meeting was held behind closed doors, and officials released a photograph of the encounter but did not disclose further details.
In separate phone calls, Fidan also spoke with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Nechirvan Barzani, the head of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government, on the same day.
According to diplomatic sources, the conversations focused on the latest regional developments and ongoing political and security dynamics regarding the U.S-Israel’s attacks on Iran.
Fidan also held a phone call with British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, during which the two discussed the current security environment in the region.
Officials said the talks addressed diplomatic efforts that could help end ongoing conflicts and promote regional stability.
The large-scale assault by the United States and Israel began Saturday, targeting multiple Iranian military and political sites and killing several senior officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military commanders, according to Iranian and regional reports.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society said Tuesday that at least 787 people have been killed in ongoing Israeli-U.S. attacks on Iran since the war started.
The aid organization said on its Telegram channel that strikes had hit 153 cities across the country and that more than 3,600 emergency responders had been deployed nationwide.
In response, Tehran has launched drone and missile attacks against Israel as well as Gulf countries that host U.S. assets, striking or attempting to strike bases and facilities linked to American forces.
The strikes and retaliatory fire continue to push the region toward a wider war.
Türkiye has intensified diplomatic contacts with regional and international partners in recent weeks as tensions and security concerns continue in parts of the Middle East and surrounding regions.
The Foreign Ministry led the diplomatic efforts since the first day of the war, discussing the latest developments and possible steps to halt the attacks.
On Feb. 28, Fidan spoke with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
In a separate call with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Fidan discussed the rising tensions and ongoing diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the conflict.
On March 1, the minister spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to exchange views on the latest situation in Iran. The same day, he also held a call with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi regarding diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
On March 2, Fidan spoke with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov about initiatives to end the regional clashes. He also held a call with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynsky, during which the two discussed the broader impact of the conflict.
Later the same day, he spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, discussing recent developments in the region and potential steps to reduce tensions and stop the attacks.
Fidan also spoke with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on March 2, with the two discussing the latest political, security and humanitarian developments in the region, as well as possible diplomatic steps to reduce tensions and end the attacks.
Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday also stated that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalın had contacts with their counterparts and Türkiye was closely watching the developments.
“We have no problems regarding our border security and the security of our airspace. Our troops, police and intelligence took top-level measures. We hope to manage this process successfully with a policy prioritizing the security of our country and our nation. Simultaneously, we will accelerate our diplomatic efforts, first to secure a cease-fire and then for a return to the negotiation table. Until these difficult days are behind us, our state and nation will stand with all brotherly nations in the region,” he said.
On Jan. 30, Türkiye hosted Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, in Istanbul. Fidan said intense Turkish diplomacy produced a format for renewed talks. Washington had been pushing to resolve four issues simultaneously, while Iran rejected the approach. Türkiye proposed splitting the agenda: two issues would be discussed directly between Washington and Tehran, and two would be addressed by regional countries.
A ballistic projectile fired from Iran and heading toward Turkish airspace was intercepted and neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry announced Wednesday.
In a written statement, the ministry said the ballistic munition was detected after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was engaged in time before posing a direct threat to Turkish territory.
Debris found in the Dörtyol district of Hatay province was identified as belonging to air defense munitions used during the interception, the ministry said. Officials added that no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
“A ballistic munition fired from Iran and detected heading toward Turkish airspace after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace was engaged and neutralized in time by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the statement said.
Moreover, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran published a statement posted on social media noting relevant institutions were monitoring the situation in real time and operating in full coordination.
“Our determination and capacity to ensure the security of our country and our nation are at the highest level,” Duran said, adding that Türkiye would take all necessary measures to defend its territory and airspace.
Duran said Ankara would respond to any hostile acts within the framework of international law and would continue consultations and cooperation with NATO and allied countries.
He also urged media outlets and social media users to act responsibly and avoid sharing unverified information that could cause public panic.
Türkiye continues to pursue diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and promoting stability in the region, Duran said.
Social Services Law was submitted to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly! Maternity leaves are being increased
Israel detains 2 Turkish journalists in Tel Aviv
Minister Çiftçi participated in the “Disaster Ready University, Disaster Ready Türkiye” program
Social Services Law was submitted to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly! Maternity leaves are being increased
Israel detains 2 Turkish journalists in Tel Aviv
Minister Çiftçi participated in the “Disaster Ready University, Disaster Ready Türkiye” program
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