Politics
Türkiye to stay out of regional war, President Erdoğan says
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Friday that Türkiye will not be drawn into the ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States, stressing that Ankara is taking all necessary measures to protect its airspace while prioritizing keeping the country away from the widening conflict.
Speaking at an iftar, Erdoğan said Türkiye remains vigilant against any threats, noting that authorities responded swiftly after an Iranian ballistic missile fired toward Türkiye was intercepted.
He said the country continues to take preventive steps to safeguard its airspace, emphasizing that similar measures were implemented the previous night.
“Our main priority is to keep our country away from this pit of fire,” Erdoğan said, underlining Ankara’s cautious approach amid escalating regional tensions.
The Turkish president added that Türkiye is proceeding with “great caution in the face of plots, traps and provocations aimed at dragging our country into war.”
Erdoğan also criticized the global hypocrisy toward humanitarian crises, saying some countries have turned a blind eye to oppression and genocide while others openly support actors responsible for such crimes, including Israel.
He argued that the suffering of children in conflict zones often fails to receive the attention it deserves.
“The suffering of orphaned children in Gaza and Syria has drawn less attention than a lone penguin,” Erdoğan said, describing what he called the “fake conscience” of the virtual world.
Despite the global crisis of conscience, Erdoğan said Türkiye remains committed to acting responsibly and upholding humanitarian values.
“In a world experiencing a crisis of conscience, we are united in our struggle to ensure that Türkiye serves as the conscience of humanity,” he said.
Days after she uttered a warning against “Turkish influence” in Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is still the talk of the town in Turkish politics.
Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), criticized von der Leyen on Tuesday during his party’s parliamentary group meeting. “These words are not a blunder. It is a reflection of arrogance and double standards toward Türkiye hidden in this mindset,” Bahçeli said.
In remarks at an event in Germany’s Hamburg, the European Commission president has mentioned her support for EU enlargement and said: “We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye, or China.” She drew criticism from Turkish officials who said the characterization did not reflect the country’s status as a key partner and NATO ally.
Bahçeli noted that critics of von der Leyen in Europe pointed out the error of her remarks by citing that they were “geopolitically incorrect” and “detached from reality.” “Same critics reminded her that Türkiye was a key ally for Europe’s security, a vital line for energy and resources and a crucial partner for migration management and regional balance.”
“This is not a basic polemic. We see that Europe does not have a mental grasp of understanding Türkiye. For years, the European Union has distanced itself from Türkiye in terms of membership. They wagged their fingers at Türkiye under the pretext of teaching it norms and harmony, and as soon as their geopolitical needs emerged, they sought to treat Türkiye as a buffer in terms of an energy corridor, transportation line and security partnership. Yet, while speaking on equality, they reverted to their arrogant ways. This is politically immoral and lacks strategic thinking. This rhetoric will not lead to partnership, sincerity or a climate of trust,” he said.
Bahçeli emphasized that Türkiye stands at the very center of geopolitical knots, as a key point and gateway.
“The issue is not where Türkiye stands, but where the European Union is drifting. The issue is not Ankara’s direction, but Brussels’ hypocritical politics. The issue is not Türkiye’s stance, but the distorted, opportunistic and hypocritical European mindset that seeks to exclude Türkiye when convenient and use it when necessary.”
“We are the Republic of Türkiye, the embodied state of a great civilization whose roots reach deep into Asia, whose branches extend toward the European horizon, and whose shadow falls upon Africa. Those who try to confine us to a narrow space still fail to comprehend that great nations cannot be understood through maps. Türkiye is a friend, but its friendship is not something open to humiliation.
“Our direction has been shaped over centuries within a great historical line that engages with the West, knows the West, confronts it when necessary, and negotiates with it when required. Neither Brussels nor European bureaucracy can tell us where we come from, nor can they define the path Türkiye will follow. The extent, framework and depth of Türkiye’s relations with Russia, China, the Turkic world, the Islamic world, Europe and other global centers cannot be determined by fanaticism. Europe cannot do without Türkiye, neither in security, energy, migration management, transportation, nor in establishing a regional balance, but Türkiye is history, a state, memory, geography, a center, and a reality even without Europe.
“We hope that Europe will confront this ingrained arrogance embedded in its mindset. It should conduct its self-assessment not with slogans, but with reality. It should renew its language toward Türkiye not based on interests, but on rationality,” he said.
Longtime foes Türkiye and Armenia held another meeting of their joint working group, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
The meeting in the eastern Turkish province of Kars was a step toward normalization between the neighbors. The ministry said that the meeting focused on rehabilitation and resumption of the Kars-Gyumri railroad, and sides affirmed that immediate resumption was essential for improving regional transportation connections.
Armenia pursues normalization efforts with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, a process accelerated particularly after Azerbaijan’s victory over Karabakh, a territory occupied by Armenia for years.
Relations began to thaw after the 2020 Karabakh war, with both sides appointing special envoys to pursue normalization talks and negotiating the reopening of their land border. So far, limited agreements have allowed third-country citizens and diplomats to cross, but a full reopening remains elusive.
Renewing relations with Armenia is especially key for Türkiye’s ambitions to serve as part of an economic chain or corridor traversing the region. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that in remarks last January. He said the Zangezur Corridor played an important part in normalizing the ties. The corridor is a proposed 43-kilometer (27-mile)route through Armenia that will connect Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhchivan. It is viewed as a key link between the three countries for seamless commercial ties.
A contractor testifying in a wide-ranging corruption and bribery trial involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) officials alleged in court that bribes were paid in connection with municipal tenders and project payments, saying the system operated through informal arrangements involving cash, apartments and commercial units.
Adem Soytekin, a contractor listed in the case file as an “organizing member,” gave testimony on the 28th day of proceedings in a case involving 414 defendants, including 92 who are in custody. The case centers on allegations of corruption, bribery and organized criminal activity linked to the municipality during the tenure of former Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu.
Soytekin, who benefited from effective remorse provisions, told the court he decided to cooperate after he was “left alone” by the municipality. He alleged that contractors were pressured to make payments in order to receive money owed to them for work carried out on municipal projects.
“I paid bribes in exchange for tenders. This is how the system works,” Soytekin was quoted as saying in court.
According to Soytekin’s testimony, the general manager of IBB’s real estate subsidy KIPTAŞ, Ali Kurt, allegedly demanded $500,000 from him in connection with project payments. Soytekin said he did not have the full amount in cash at the time and asked an associate to collect $400,000, later completing the sum himself. He alleged that the money was delivered to Kurt through Murat Eren.
Soytekin said contractors believed they would not receive the payments they were owed unless they complied with the demand.
“If we had not given the money they wanted, we would not have received the money we were entitled to on time,” Soytekin told the court. “It was made clear to us that if the requested money was not paid, the funds that should have been transferred to contractors from KIPTAŞ accounts would not be sent to us for a long time.”
Soytekin also described what he called an informal payment and offsetting system inside the municipality. He said contractors were directed to build nurseries, cultural centers and dormitories, then collect their receivables through checks, apartments, shops or cash from third parties.
In another part of his testimony, Soytekin said three apartments in the Deniz Istanbul Project’s Mercan residences were transferred to his company in February 2020 without direct payment. He claimed the apartments were given in return for renovation work at the CHP’s Istanbul provincial headquarters in the Ayazağa district, a building previously linked in public debate to footage showing cash counting.
Soytekin further said municipalities often do not construct public buildings solely through their own resources, adding that projects are sometimes carried out under what he described as “voluntary donations.”
During questioning, the presiding judge asked Soytekin about his earlier statement that $1.5 million had been sent to Kurt. Soytekin initially did not provide details, prompting the judge to say the court was having difficulty communicating with him.
“Bribe, Mr. President, bribe,” Soytekin replied.
The corruption investigation into Imamoğlu, who was suspended from his post as Istanbul metropolitan mayor and jailed, was completed with the preparation of a 3,809-page indictment on Nov. 11, 2025.
In the indictment, he is identified as the alleged “leader of a criminal organization” and is accused of several offenses, including establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes, bribery, laundering criminal proceeds, fraud against public institutions and organizations, recording personal data, illegally obtaining and disseminating personal data, concealing criminal evidence, obstructing communications, damaging public property, receiving bribes, publicly spreading misleading information, extortion, laundering assets derived from crime, rigging tenders, deliberately polluting the environment, violating the Tax Procedure Law, violating the Forestry Law and violating the Mining Law.
Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence ranging from 828 years and two months to 2,352 years for Imamoğlu over 142 alleged acts.
The first hearing was held on Monday, March 9. Since the start of the trial, 36 defendants have presented their defenses. No hearing was held on Friday, while proceedings continue four days a week.
Türkiye approached the U.S. and Lebanon with a proposal to help broker an arrangement involving Hezbollah, according to sources quoted by The Jerusalem Post.
The initiative would see Ankara act as a mediator and take an active role in efforts to address the Hezbollah issue, the sources noted. The proposal comes as Türkiye seeks to expand its diplomatic reach in the Middle East and position itself as a regional power broker.
The U.S. administration has not given a clear response to the proposal, with officials neither accepting nor rejecting the offer, as the sources cited.
Türkiye has sought a larger role in several regional files in recent years, including in areas close to Israel. In Gaza, Ankara had aimed to participate in a planned peacekeeping force expected to be deployed under U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, but Israel opposed the inclusion of Turkish troops.
In Syria, Türkiye has also become a significant player following the rise of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, while Israel has sought to prevent Turkish military bases from being established there.
Before the current Iran-U.S. cease-fire, Türkiye said any agreement with Iran should also include Lebanon.
Most recently, Ankara delivered 360 tons of aid to displaced civilians through the Port of Beirut.
More than 1 million people have been displaced from southern Lebanon and Beirut since the start of the war.
“Türkiye will always stand by Lebanon and its friendly people,” Turkish Ambassador Lutem said at an aid delivery event. “Türkiye has consistently supported Lebanon through its official institutions and nongovernmental organizations.”
On Saturday, Netanyahu ordered the army to escalate its attacks against Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attacks.
More than 2,500 people have been killed, over 7,750 injured and over 1.6 million displaced by Israeli attacks across Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanese official figures.
A 10-day cease-fire was declared between Lebanon and Israel on April 17, though Tel Aviv repeatedly violated it.
On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump said Lebanon and Israel agreed to extend the truce by three weeks following a second round of talks between the two sides in Washington.
Hezbollah has carried out a series of drone attacks targeting Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon and northern Israel, citing Israel’s repeated violations of the truce.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz praised relations with Serbia as he attended a reception in Ankara hosted by the Serbian Embassy on Monday.
“We view Serbia as a country essential for the stability of the Balkans and believe that Turkish-Serbian relations would have good consequences for the region,” he said.
Yılmaz recalled Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s visit to Türkiye last February and noted that it was an important step in empowering bilateral relations. Yılmaz noted that he hosted Serbian Prime Minister Duro Macut during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in southern Türkiye earlier this month and said his meeting focused on joint steps to strengthen bilateral relations.
Yılmaz noted Türkiye would be represented well in Expo 2027, which will be hosted by Serbia, and the event would provide opportunities for reinforcing bilateral commercial and cultural ties.
The vice president stated that the trade volume between the two countries rose to $3.4 billion in 2025, and both countries’ leaders set a goal of increasing it to $5 billion. He noted that Turkish contractors reached a business volume of $2 billion in Serbia.
“We also see benefits in enhancing our cooperation in the defense industry,” he said.
As Parliament passed a new law to restrict social media for children, the minister of Family and Social Services says there may be more on the way.
The country has been working since 2024 on new restrictions targeting social media use by children under 15, as part of a broader effort to protect families in the digital age, Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş said on Tuesday. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Göktaş said that one of the key pillars of the government’s Family Protection and Strengthening Action Plan is safeguarding children and families in an increasingly digital environment. “On the one hand, we aim to raise digital literacy awareness among families, but on the other, we will not leave our children at the mercy of algorithms, big companies, and digital and technology firms,” she said. “We know very well that they generate significant profits through these platforms and over our children.”
She said that the ministry held workshops in 2024 on digital addiction, bringing together parents, children, and experts, as well as separate sessions focused on protecting children in digital spaces. She noted that children, particularly while gaming, tend to choose darker, more powerful characters, often associated with weapons, and may sometimes identify with them in real life, a trend she described as striking and concerning.
Pointing to rising screen time, Göktaş said children’s age of entry into social media has dropped to as young as six.
She also warned of the long-term risks of children’s digital footprint, saying online activity at a young age could lead to legal consequences later. “In the coming years, children under 15 may face various legal cases simply because of what they shared online. We are already seeing such cases. Content posted at age 14 can resurface at 17 or 18, leading to serious legal outcomes that could affect their lives. This is very dangerous, and parents need to be aware.”
The minister said the government’s goal is not to ban platforms but to regulate them. She noted that similar regulations are being introduced globally, citing measures in the EU, Australia, France and Spain, adding that Türkiye has developed its own model based on international examples.
Under the planned regulation, social media platforms will be required to implement age verification systems for users under 15, appoint representatives if they have more than 1 million users in Türkiye, remove inappropriate content within one hour, eliminate misleading advertisements, and strengthen parental control tools.
Göktaş also said that, for the first time, gaming platforms will be included in the regulatory framework. Under amendments to the relevant law, platforms with more than 100,000 users will be required to appoint representatives in Türkiye.
Sanctions will apply to non-compliant companies, she said, adding that a secondary regulation is expected within six months, after which the rules will be fully implemented nationwide.
“This regulation requires about six months, as a bylaw needs to be issued,” she said. “The process will involve the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), the cybersecurity department, experts and other stakeholders. We, as the ministry, will also contribute our views, because protecting children is a necessity.” She emphasized that families must also be part of the process. “Our aim is to supervise and provide a safer digital environment for children. We want them to exist and be empowered in that space, but if dependency arises, we also want to prevent it. We are setting a norm,” she said.
The new law bans children under the age of 15 from entering social media while tasking companies to set up safe online spaces for them. It put Türkiye on the map of countries seeking ways to protect the impressionable young people from online risks, from radicalization to fraud, sexual abuse and cyberbullying. The law has been on the agenda of lawmakers for some time now, but two school shootings earlier this month appear to be fast-tracking its passing. The second school shooting in the province of Kahramanmaraş by a 14-year-old boy sparked a debate about social media. In the aftermath of the attack that killed 10 people, a barrage of online threats against schools was uncovered, and security forces found out that those behind the threats were mostly underage. The perpetrator’s reported online activity linking him to manipulative content promoting violence has also raised concerns.
Türkiye abstained from using the term “ban” for children, but the bill rather refers to the move as creating safe digital spaces for children under the age of 15. An age verification system will be introduced to prevent children’s access to inappropriate content. Social media companies will be tasked with informing users of the restrictions. They will also be mandated to provide clear, user-friendly parental control tools. These tools will include management of accounts (of children), parental permission for subscription-based processes, purchases or rentals, as well as monitoring usage time and options to restrict screen time for children. Social media companies will also be mandated to prevent deceptive ads. Companies with more than 10 million daily accesses from Türkiye will be required to comply with the authorities’ order to take measures against social media accounts within one hour.
Separately, the bill requires gaming platforms to sell or host unrated games or mandate hosting them at the highest age limit.
The law is expected to be given final approval by the president within 15 days. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has already announced that they would take measures to mitigate the online risks to children’s safety and privacy, in remarks in the wake of school shootings.
Australia was the first country to introduce restrictions on social media access for children under 16 last December. The restrictions led social media companies to revoke access to more than 4 million accounts. In March, Indonesia followed suit, while Spain, France and the United Kingdom are working on measures to restrict social media access to children.
Göktaş said Türkiye recently hosted an international summit on protecting children in digital environments and issued a joint declaration with UNICEF. “All countries are going through a similar process,” she said. “At the summit, one of the key points was that no country can address this issue alone. Technology is evolving rapidly.” She said the declaration calls on technology companies to prevent harmful content targeting children from the design stage of games and digital services. “We are also implementing an age verification system. This is a comprehensive and secure policy. Türkiye is one of the leading countries in this area,” she said. “Our goal is to protect children, ensure a safer digital environment, and not leave families alone in this process.”
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