Turkish and Turkish Cypriot officials reaffirmed their commitment to security cooperation and the protection of Turkish Cypriot rights this week, as tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and disputes over Cyprus continue to shape regional diplomacy.

Speaking at a news conference on Thursday marking his first 200 days in office, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhürman voiced support for recent remarks by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regarding the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus.

Earlier, Erdoğan warned that any attempt to undermine the rights and interests of Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots in the region would receive a “clear and firm response.”

“President Erdoğan’s statement is entirely appropriate,” Erhürman said. “No initiative aimed at excluding the Turkish Cypriot people and the Republic of Türkiye from issues such as security, energy and maritime jurisdiction areas can succeed.”

Erhürman noted the Turkish Cypriot administration has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts through international platforms, including the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) and meetings of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Kazakhstan, to advance the interests of Turkish Cypriots.

He stressed that coordination with Ankara remains constant on the Cyprus issue and reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side’s commitment to a negotiated settlement.

“We do not engage in negotiations merely for the sake of negotiations,” Erhürman said, adding that the public would continue to be informed about contacts with the United Nations and the Greek Cypriot administration.

The comments came as Türkiye’s Defense Ministry reiterated its support for the TRNC following the signing of a status-of-forces agreement between France and the Greek Cypriot administration.

Speaking during the ministry’s weekly press briefing, officials said Türkiye would continue to safeguard the rights and interests of the TRNC.

“As in the past, we will continue to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and ensure its security,” the ministry said. “The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have both the capability and determination to respond firmly to hostile actions threatening the security of Turkish Cypriots.”

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi concluded an official visit to the TRNC on Wednesday focused on strengthening cooperation in law enforcement, border security, migration management and disaster response.

During his visit, Çiftçi met with Erhürman, Parliament Speaker Ziya Öztürkler and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel. He also held discussions with TRNC Interior Minister Dursun Oğuz and representatives from Türkiye’s Gendarmerie General Command, General Directorate of Security, Coast Guard Command, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and Directorate of Migration Management.

A key topic of the meetings was cooperation against transnational criminal networks.

“New-generation criminal organizations unfortunately do not recognize borders,” Çiftçi said. “We will not recognize borders in our cooperation either.”

The minister remarked both sides had agreed to deepen cooperation against organized crime and narcotics trafficking, which he described as a source of financing for terrorist organizations.

“We have reached a full consensus on combating drug trafficking and ensuring that criminal organizations are not allowed operational space,” he said.

Çiftçi also pledged expanded support from Türkiye’s migration and disaster management institutions, including personnel exchanges, training programs and the sharing of operational experience.

“Our goal is to ensure peace and security in both Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” he said. “We do not see our own security as separate from the security of our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters.”

Üstel welcomed the visit, emphasizing the close historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and the TRNC.

He thanked Ankara for its longstanding support and said Türkiye continues to contribute to the development and security of the Turkish Cypriot state.

Border violation dispute

Separately, the TRNC Foreign Ministry protested on Friday what it described as an unauthorized border crossing by a Greek Cypriot firefighter accompanied by members of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

In a statement, the ministry said the individual had entered the area of Çayhan Düzü, which the TRNC considers part of its territory, on June 11 while participating in activities conducted in the buffer zone.

Authorities said the individual was identified as a member of the Greek Cypriot fire service and was later released following an investigation.

The ministry criticized the UNFICYP for allowing activities to take place without the knowledge or approval of TRNC authorities and for permitting operations that allegedly extended into territory claimed by the Turkish Cypriot administration.

The incident was formally raised with the U.N. mission, the ministry noted.

“Çayhan Düzü is TRNC territory,” the statement said. “We will continue to uphold our determination to protect our sovereign rights and national borders.”

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Turkish authorities detained Silivri Mayor Bora Balcıoğlu and 16 other suspects on Friday as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and organized criminal activity involving municipal operations, prosecutors said.

The Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched the investigation after identifying alleged irregularities in a range of municipal procedures, including personnel recruitment, business transfers and leases, zoning and licensing decisions, sealing procedures, unauthorized construction cases, property acquisitions and the sale of municipal assets.

According to prosecutors, an expert report found that the sale of a municipally owned property classified as a non-registered public park area below its market value resulted in a public loss of approximately TL 21.5 million (nearly $470,000).

Based on the findings, prosecutors launched an investigation on charges including establishing and leading a criminal organization, membership in a criminal organization, bribery, extortion, influence peddling, abuse of office, bid rigging, interference in contract performance, causing zoning pollution and laundering assets derived from criminal activity.

Authorities alleged that the suspects acted within an organized structure and used their influence over municipal affairs to secure unlawful benefits.

The prosecutor’s office issued detention warrants for the suspects, citing strong evidence linking them to the alleged offenses.

Financial Crimes Investigation Unit (MASAK) officers from the Istanbul Police Department carried out simultaneous operations, detaining 17 suspects, including Balcıoğlu. Police also conducted searches at the Silivri Municipality building.

The suspects were taken for medical examinations before being transferred to police headquarters for further questioning. The investigation remains ongoing.

Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) is under mounting scrutiny as a wave of corruption, bribery and terrorism-related investigations sweeps across its municipalities. At least a dozen CHP mayors have been detained or arrested since last year, including Istanbul’s former Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, Özkan Yalım, the mayor of the western city of Uşak, Mustafa Bozbey, mayor of Bursa and the mayor of Mediterranean province Antalya, Muhittin Böcek.

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Türkiye on Wednesday sharply condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over comments targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, criticizing the Israeli leader for attempting to mislead international public opinion while deflecting attention from Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. Senior Turkish officials described Netanyahu’s remarks as baseless and provocative, reiterating calls for international legal accountability over the war.

The Foreign Ministry criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for seeking to manipulate international public opinion through “baseless, provocative and untrue allegations” against President Erdoğan.

The ministry’s statement came after Netanyahu posted remarks on social media portraying Israel as morally superior while directing criticism at the Turkish president. Earlier in the day, Erdoğan had urged the international community to stop Netanyahu and his “network of murderers” from expanding violence across the region, including in Lebanon and Syria.

Türkiye is a fierce critic of Israel and one of the few countries in its region to openly defy the Netanyahu administration’s genocidal campaign of expansionism that spread from the Palestinian territories to Lebanon and beyond. For Ankara, Israel is the biggest obstacle to peace in the wider region. The country has exerted efforts for a diplomatic solution to the Palestine-Israel conflict and cut off all ties with Israel since the genocide in Gaza began three years ago. Erdoğan is at the forefront of the criticism and has repeatedly urged the international community to stop Israel before it embarked on another campaign of terror in Lebanon.

“Netanyahu, an expert in genocide, cannot hide his responsibility for grave crimes through lies aimed at obscuring the truth,” the ministry said, adding that Türkiye would continue to speak out against Israeli violations of international law and work to ensure that those responsible are held accountable before international judicial bodies.

Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also condemned Netanyahu’s comments, calling them an act of “audacity.”

“It is an extraordinary contradiction for individuals facing genocide accusations to target President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” Duran said, arguing that an administration responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in Gaza was in no position to lecture Türkiye on morality.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek echoed the criticism, dismissing Netanyahu’s remarks as meaningless and accusing the Israeli prime minister of attempting to attack a leader who has consistently advocated for Palestinian rights and civilian protection.

Gürlek noted that Netanyahu is listed as a suspect in a genocide-related investigation being conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and has been named as a defendant in an accepted indictment linked to the case.

He said those who remain silent in the face of the humanitarian situation in Gaza would be judged harshly by history and vowed that Netanyahu and those responsible for alleged crimes against civilians would eventually face justice.

Expansionism ‘synonymous’ with Netanyahu government

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesman Ömer Çelik accused Netanyahu’s government of pursuing expansionist policies across the region, rejecting Israeli criticism of Erdoğan and saying occupation, territorial ambitions and settlement expansion were hallmarks of the Israeli administration.

Speaking after a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Board (MYK), Çelik said Israeli officials appeared to closely monitor Erdoğan’s speeches and reacted within minutes with what he described as “delusional statements.”

Responding to Israeli accusations of expansionism against Türkiye, Çelik said such claims were detached from reality and argued that Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya’s recent remarks merely reflected the deep attachment Muslims feel toward Jerusalem.

“If we are to speak of occupation, conquest and expansionism, these concepts are synonymous with the Netanyahu government,” Çelik said.

He criticized Israel for continuing its occupation of Gaza, expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and seizing Palestinian land through new illegal settlement projects. He also pointed to Israeli military operations in Lebanon, arguing that the Netanyahu government had no credibility when accusing others of expansionist ambitions.

Çelik further criticized Netanyahu’s description of the Israeli military as “the world’s most moral army,” saying the claim was contradicted by the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and Israeli military violations of international law across the region.

Reaffirming Türkiye’s longstanding position on the Palestinian issue, Çelik said Ankara supports the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with U.N. parameters and international law.

He also criticized segments of Türkiye’s opposition, saying some domestic political actors were echoing rhetoric used by Israeli ministers.

Türkiye has been among the most vocal critics of Israel’s genocidal military campaign in Gaza, repeatedly calling for a cease-fire and supporting international legal efforts aimed at investigating alleged violations of international law.

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The Ministry of National Defense on Thursday reiterated President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s criticism of developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and said any military alliance targeting the rights and interests of Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots had no chance of success against Türkiye.

Tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean escalated in recent years, in light of brewing conflicts in the Middle East and the lingering divide in Cyprus. Türkiye advocates for the sovereignty of Turkish Cypriots, whose Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) strives for international recognition while Greek Cypriots seek to boost their self-styled legitimacy through international alliances. The race for hydrocarbon resources around the island led to a build-up of tensions, with Türkiye and the TRNC seeking to defend their maritime rights as Greek Cypriots cooperate with other countries for offshore exploration.

In response to questions about the Status of Forces Agreement between France and the Greek Cypriot administration, the ministry said they were following “any provocation to destabilize the Eastern Mediterranean and escalating tensions.”

“The agreement between France, which has no guarantor status on Cyprus, and the Greek Cypriot administration aims to unilaterally change the sensitive balance in the island and ignores the will and sovereign equal rights of Turkish Cypriots. It is against the 1960 Cyprus treaties and international laws,” the ministry said, referring to the treaties that led to the creation of a state in Cyprus and designated Türkiye, Greece and the United Kingdom as guarantor states over the status of the island. “The illegitimate steps whose consequences are not thoroughly thought out can have dangerous consequences for the south of the island,” the ministry added.

“As the guarantor country, we will continue safeguarding the rights and interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and maintain its security. The Turkish Armed Forces have the determination to give the strongest response against hostile stands threatening the security of Turkish Cypriots,” the statement also said.

On Wednesday, Erdoğan named Israel as a destabilizing force in the region and said, along with its accomplices, that it aimed to “start a fire” in the Mediterranean.

Greek Cypriots have boosted their engagement with many countries, bolstering military cooperation in particular, with countries ranging from Israel to France and India. In the past two decades, it has signed agreements and protocols with the U.S., the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Czechia, Armenia, France, India, Jordan, Egypt and Greece for military alliances, transfer of military technology and use of air and maritime bases. In 2016, it signed a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Israel. The agreement’s content was not fully disclosed, but it is reported that the agreement allows Israel to use military bases and facilities in southern Cyprus, according to media reports. The Greek Cypriot administration also signed defense cooperation agreements with Israel in 2017 and 2024. The Greek Cypriot administration also signed a deal with France allowing deployment of French troops on the island. The deployment requires the approval of Türkiye, Greece and the United Kingdom, guarantor states of the divided island. The president said “some small circles whose ambitions are bigger than their size” have jumped on the Israeli bandwagon and served as “contractors of Zionism.”

“They are chasing dreams in the Eastern Mediterranean. Let me be clear: Do not engage in adventures, do not ride on the tails of the Zionist network of murderers. Our response to attempts at rights and sovereignty of Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean will be clear and very strong,” he said.

Tensions with Greece

The Defense Ministry also responded to claims that Turkish warplanes “harassed” Greek planes carrying Greek Defense Minister near the island of Cyprus. The ministry denied the claims and noted that it was Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration who were “occasionally violating TRNC airspace.”

“On June 7, four planes violated TRNC airspace, and our two F-16 jets deployed in the TRNC took off as a measure against the violation. They remained in TRNC airspace and did not violate Greek Cypriot airspace. It is unacceptable to accept statements and attempts seeking to stir up tensions in the region,” the ministry said.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia on the sidelines of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit of Heads of State and Government. According to Foreign Ministry sources, Fidan urged Greece to avoid steps that could harm regional stability or be directed against Türkiye.

The minister also said the draft maritime jurisdiction legislation currently on the agenda of the Turkish Parliament is a matter of domestic legislation, stressing that Türkiye respects international law and good neighborly relations. Dubbed the “Blue Homeland” law, the bill aims to reaffirm Türkiye’s maritime rights in the Aegean Sea, a hotly contested body of water between Türkiye and Greece and among major sources of contention as Athens and Ankara pursue rapprochement in ties stained with a history of hostilities.

The draft bill apparently angered Greece. Media reports say Athens is reportedly considering declaring new “marine parks” in the Aegean Sea while expanding the limits of its territorial waters south of Crete. The Greek government did not confirm reports, but Gerapetritis was recently quoted as saying that they would “absolutely utilize legal tools of response if Ankara takes this matter to new extremes.”

Fidan said Türkiye expects the same level of respect from all its neighbors and described as regrettable statements made by certain circles based on incomplete information regarding the draft law. He warned that such remarks could negatively affect bilateral relations and called for a more responsible approach.

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The U.S.-Israel-Iran war, bilateral relations, Black Sea security and ties with the EU dominated Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s joint news conference with his Bulgarian counterpart Velislava Petrova-Chamova in Sofia on Thursday.

Fidan arrived in Bulgaria earlier this week to attend the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit and held bilateral talks with Petrova-Chamova.

The Turkish minister said at the news conference that mutual attacks in U.S.-Israel-Iran tensions had escalated in the past two days. “We are concerned. We recommend the sides cease attacks and return to the negotiation table and finalize the text (on a lasting peace) they are close to agreeing upon. We work to ensure it. We have seen that it is no benefit to anyone to escalate the conflict, to return to all-out war,” Fidan said.

The U.S. and Iran exchanged fresh attacks for a second consecutive night, heightening fears that the cease-fire agreed on in April might be unravelling.

Early on Thursday, the U.S. military said it had “completed” its latest round of strikes. In a post on X, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for the region, said the attacks targeted military intelligence facilities, communications systems and air defense positions that it said posed a threat to U.S. forces and international shipping.

“The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression. U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal and ready,” it wrote. Iranian media reported explosions near the southern cities of Minab and Sirik, as well as on Qeshm Island and in the port city of Bandar Abbas.

Separate explosions were also reported near the commuter hub of Karaj, just a few kilometers west of Tehran, where state media said combat drones had been spotted.

The latest escalation followed U.S. strikes earlier this week on Iranian air defense systems, ground control stations and radar installations in response to the downing of a U.S. military helicopter. Iran subsequently launched attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf region. Iran’s armed forces said early Thursday they had again targeted Bahrain and Kuwait in response to the latest U.S. strikes. Kuwait temporarily closed its airspace to civilian aviation and said air defenses had been activated.

U.S. President Donald Trump meanwhile accused Tehran of repeatedly violating the truce that came into force on April 8, describing it as “the most violated cease-fire in the history of the world,” according to comments reported by Fox News.

“No matter how difficult, how nerve-wracking it may be, the sides should carry the negotiations to a conclusion,” Fidan said Thursday.

Turkish-Bulgarian ties

On bilateral ties, Fidan said Türkiye and Bulgaria have a deepening strategic partnership. “We are acting as two neighbors and allies complementing each other in fields from border security and energy to transportation and commerce. A stronger Turkish-Bulgarian partnership is also beneficial for our wider region,” he said.

Fidan highlighted the deep historical ties and friendship between the two countries. “Lasting stability and prosperity in this region is through strengthening dialogue and cooperation. This was what was agreed upon at the SEECP summit as well. We highlighted that the countries should move forward with a regional ownership approach,” he stated.

The minister said Bulgarian Turks and Muslims played an exceptional role in strengthening bonds between the countries.

A new crossing

Fidan noted that the Turkish-Bulgarian border was a busy route and at their meeting, they reaffirmed their commitment to build a new border crossing north of the Kapıkule crossing.

“We also exchanged views on increasing the capacity of our border crossings and on highway and railway projects that will strengthen regional connectivity. We are grateful for the support provided by the Bulgarian authorities in ensuring smooth border crossings for our citizens traveling from Europe to our country during the summer months,” the minister said.

Black Sea security

Fidan also spoke about the security of Black Sea, in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “While deepening our military relations with Bulgaria both within NATO and bilaterally, we are also taking concrete steps in the context of regional initiatives. The Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group, established together with Bulgaria and Romania, plays an important role in ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea. We are determined to further advance the activities of this task force, which we currently command. The long-term guarantee of Black Sea security is undoubtedly the end of the war continuing to our north. We consider the establishment of peace between Russia and Ukraine essential for the stability of our region. As Türkiye, we will continue to provide active support to both sides toward this goal. Our expectation is to achieve a lasting and just peace based on international law as soon as possible,” the minister said.

‘Europe without Türkiye’

On Turkish ties with the European Union, particularly the accession process, Fidan said this was discussed at their meeting.

“The multidimensional crises shaking our region and the world clearly demonstrate the strategic and indispensable nature of Türkiye-European Union relations. It is evident that a European (security) architecture in which Türkiye does not occupy its rightful place will remain incomplete and have a weakened capacity to cope with crises. The European Union’s economic future depends on increasing its competitiveness, strengthening its resilience, and rebuilding supply chains in its neighboring geography. In this context, deepening economic integration with Türkiye is a strategic necessity for the European Union. It is essential that the European Union’s defense and security initiatives be conducted in an inclusive manner that includes Türkiye, a strong NATO ally and a contributor to European security. In this regard, we greatly appreciate Bulgaria’s valuable support for Türkiye’s EU membership process,” he stated.

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Presidential Chief Adviser on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç held a series of meetings in Berlin focused on Türkiye-Germany relations, European security and trans-Atlantic cooperation, according to a statement released on Thursday.

Kılıç, accompanied by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Berlin Gökhan Turan, met with North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) Minister-President Hendrik Wüst at the NRW State Representation in Berlin. Discussions centered on the current state and future prospects of Türkiye-Germany relations, as well as recent developments in relations between Türkiye and the European Union.

The two sides also exchanged views on the evolving European security architecture, the future of trans-Atlantic relations and the political, economic and security challenges facing Europe. Regional and global developments and their impact on the international system were also discussed.

Following the meeting, Kılıç underscored the importance of maintaining the strong partnership and constructive dialogue between Türkiye and Germany.

As part of his Berlin program, Kılıç attended the traditional NRW Summer Festival hosted by the state’s representation office. During the event, he held talks with several senior German officials and lawmakers, including Wüst, president of the Bundesrat Andreas Bovenschulte, NRW Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs Nathanael Liminski and Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Armin Laschet.

Kılıç said such gatherings, which bring together representatives from politics, diplomacy, business and civil society, play an important role in assessing current developments and strengthening dialogue among different stakeholders.

The presidential adviser also participated in a roundtable discussion titled “Towards the 2026 Ankara Summit: Shaping the Future of Euro-Atlantic Security,” organized jointly by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Participants discussed strategic perspectives on Euro-Atlantic security, NATO’s current challenges, changes in defense and security policies, and broader regional and global developments.

Kılıç reiterated that Türkiye, as a strong and indispensable NATO ally, remains committed to contributing to Euro-Atlantic security, strengthening the alliance’s deterrence and defense capabilities, and supporting regional and global stability.

On the other hand, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul discussed bilateral relations, preparations for the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara and ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, in a phone conversation on Tuesday, diplomatic sources said.

The two ministers reviewed Türkiye-Germany relations and exchanged views on preparations for the upcoming NATO summit scheduled to be held in Ankara and discussed the ongoing talks between Iran and the U.S., amid continued international efforts to advance a diplomatic solution and ease regional tensions.

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