The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, said about the attacks on Iran: “The war must be ended as soon as possible, the tension in the region must be reduced, and everyone must respect the sovereignty of the countries.” he said.

Numan Kurtulmuş, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT), attended the Three Seas Initiative Parliamentary Summit hosted by the Croatian Parliament in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where he paid an official visit.

Within the scope of the summit held at the Zagreb National and University Library, Croatian Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic welcomed the parliament presidents and parliamentary representatives attending the summit one by one. The session started after the family photo session. In his speech at the Three Seas Initiative Parliamentary Summit, Kurtulmuş stated that this meeting was of particular importance for them as Türkiye participated as a “strategic partner” for the first time. Stating that connectivity constitutes one of the main priorities for Türkiye, Kurtulmuş underlined that they attach utmost importance to the development of transportation, energy and communication corridors. Stating that they consider the Three Seas Initiative not only as a platform that contributes to the strengthening of connectivity, but also as an inclusive strategic cooperation and consultation basis shaped on the basis of the principle of regional ownership, Kurtulmuş said, “As the riparian country with the longest coastline in the Black Sea, I would like to express that Türkiye is determined to further deepen its relations with the initiative and develop cooperation in a multidimensional way.”

Emphasizing that Türkiye offers ample opportunities to establish connections between different regions of the world, thanks to its geostrategic location and advanced and modern infrastructure, Kurtulmuş continued his speech as follows:

“THE RULES-BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER HAS SUBJECT TO SERIOUS EROSION IN TERMS OF BOTH LEGITIMACY AND FUNCTION”

Stating that the war against Iran and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East remind us of how fragile global connectivity is in the face of geopolitical tensions, Kurtulmuş said, “As a matter of fact, we are faced with important regional and international turmoil that will have permanent effects on the future of our continent and the world. It is now clear that the humanitarian disaster in Sudan, the 4-year-old war in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza and the war between Israel and the USA against Iran are not just a global crisis, but a post-1945 crisis.” It points to a shocking disintegration of the established international order. The current situation reflects a systemic crisis in which lawlessness has become commonplace, power has replaced law, and international mechanisms have become largely ineffective. Institutions continue to exist in form, but their effects remain extremely limited. Although the rules exist on paper, their content is largely empty. “We are witnessing a process in which the international system is undergoing a radical transformation and a polycentric world order is being shaped. In this context, the protection of our values and principles against brute force and arbitrariness necessitates a more effective and result-oriented cooperation between our countries, shaped by a strategic perspective.”

“PERMANENT PEACE IN THE SOUTH CAUCASIA WILL SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHEN REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY”

Expressing that security in the Black Sea is of vital importance for the riparian countries, Europe and beyond, Kurtulmuş stated that Russia’s war against Ukraine, which is in its fifth year, is the main threat to the region. Stating that Türkiye has resolutely expressed its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, including Crimea, since the beginning of the war, Kurtulmuş noted that they, as Turkey, lead the diplomatic efforts to establish a fair and lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia through negotiations, within the framework of international law and the United Nations Charter. Stating that they welcomed the progress made in the Azerbaijan-Armenia talks following the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity, Kurtulmuş said, “Permanent peace to be achieved in the South Caucasus will significantly strengthen regional connectivity.”

ATTACKS OF THE USA AND ISRAEL AGAINST IRAN

Stating that they called for an end to the war waged by the USA and Israel against Iran, which caused serious damage to the civilian population and infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf countries and disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, Kurtulmuş continued his speech as follows:

“It is not possible for us to remain indifferent to the humanitarian tragedy taking place in the Middle East. Israel’s attacks on Iran and Lebanon and its grave crimes against the Palestinian people not only destabilize the region, but also negatively affect the security, economy and moral standing of Europe. Therefore, we must increase our efforts to defend the territorial integrity of all countries in the region, raise our voice more strongly against the crimes committed against the Palestinian people, and establish an independent Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, on the basis of a two-state solution.” We must support its establishment.”

Stating that connectivity is not limited to energy, transportation and communication, but also includes the sharing of information, culture and values, Kurtulmuş said, “As a Strategic Partner, I would like to emphasize once again our determination to build corridors of trust, value, prosperity and resilience that connect countries, peoples and continents.”

Kurtulmuş added that the Turkish Grand National Assembly is ready to work in close cooperation with the parliaments of the Three Seas Initiative, strengthen cooperation and introduce the initiative to the public more effectively.

THREE SEAS INITIATIVE

The Three Seas Initiative, which brought together Central and Eastern European countries under the leadership of Poland and Croatia in 2015, aims to promote faster and more balanced development of the region extending between the Black Sea, Baltic and Adriatic seas. The initiative, which aims to achieve a high-level and multi-stakeholder cooperation approach focusing especially on infrastructure, energy and digital connectivity by increasing the connectivity between member states, is built on three main axes: supporting economic development, strengthening transatlantic ties and increasing intra-European harmony. Improving infrastructure connections and eliminating existing deficiencies in the fields of energy, transportation and digitalization are among the main priorities of the international platform. One of its strategic goals is the creation of energy and transportation corridors in the north-south direction, especially in the Baltic-Adriatic-Black Sea line.

One of the prominent projects, the “Via Carpathia” highway corridor, aims to create a north-south connection line starting from Lithuania’s Klaipeda Port, via Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria, to Greece’s Thessaloniki Port, and from there to Istanbul.

Turkey gained “Strategic Partner” status during the 10th Summit held in Warsaw on April 29, 2025.

Turkey constitutes an important part of the east-west and north-south transportation corridors with its large-scale infrastructure projects and ports such as Halkalı-Kapıkule, Marmaray, Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway, Istanbul Airport. Türkiye’s important location on the Middle Corridor and Development Path route will allow the Three Seas Initiative route of the Adriatic Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea countries to be connected to the Mediterranean, Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf by connecting the Three Seas Initiative route via Istanbul via the Middle Corridor and Development Path, allowing the initiative to access a wide geography covering the five seas and beyond.

US President Donald Trump first gave Iran 48 hours and then announced that the attacks would be suspended for 5 days. However, the situation on the field has not changed. Mutual attacks between Israel and Iran continued uninterruptedly. In the report of Associated Press, based on an unnamed US official, it was claimed that USS Boxer and two other amphibious assault ships will be deployed to the Middle East with approximately 2,500 marines. Experts speaking to SABAH evaluated the developments on the subject.

SECURITY EXPERT İBRAHİM KELEŞ:

Immediately after Trump’s statement that “Negotiations will begin”, Netanyahu said challengingly to Trump, “If we cannot achieve the result we want in the negotiations, we will block it.” Even though Trump wants the war to end, it is unclear whether Israel will allow it. Some leading American officials say that the United States was involved in this war by Israel. The world knows this very well. I evaluate that Trump is approaching a ground operation with the provocation of Israel. US amphibious marines stationed in the Sea of ​​Japan headed towards Iran. Although 5 thousand soldiers are mentioned, it is stated that this number is planned to be increased to 100 thousand with other units in the region. However, when the land war begins, conditions become equal. You cannot use your air power as you wish.

SETA FOREIGN POLICY EXPERT ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR. DR. MUHAMMED HÜSEYİN MERCAN:

Developments in the Gulf, energy market pressure and US domestic public opinion seem to put pressure on Trump. When we look at past actions, it is obvious that the USA attacked Iran twice while negotiations were ongoing. Considering this, it is premature to claim that ‘the USA has completely abandoned its plan against Iran’.

CHP Istanbul Provincial Directorate made a splash with the intra-party holiday program it organized recently. The organization, which brought together hundreds of members of the opposition wing, caused discomfort in the headquarters. During the celebration ceremony, the call to ‘purify corruption’ once again came to the fore. Making a statement to SABAH, CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Gürsel Tekin said, “Hundreds of people participated in our celebration program. We did not bring anyone by force. If we wanted to, we would have brought thousands of our party members.” Tekin criticized the party management by making important evaluations about the sharp differences of opinion and division in the CHP and said, “In order for the party to be on the right track, you must first solve the problems in your home. The duty of political party managers is not to create problems, but to solve problems. If there are people involved in crime, they must be cleared from the party.”

CRITICISM TO CHP MEDIA

Reacting with harsh words to CHP-supported media organizations and journalists insistently refusing to offer him a microphone, Tekin said, “CHP must stop creating the perception of victimization and face the facts. I criticize the headquarters, their journalists give me the answer. You were the ‘free’ media? They blamed me for filing a criminal complaint against Aziz İhsan Aktaş. Can such a thing happen? I am calling out to the media that sees itself as ‘free’ media through SABAH Newspaper. “Why don’t you hold out a microphone, why are you shy? I have never seen journalists take sides so militantly,” he said.

AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, in his statement on his social media account, criticized CHP Chairman Özgür Özel with harsh words. Çelik shared the following statements in his post: “CHP Chairman Özgür Özel is making the most ‘shoddy’ politics and using the most ‘ugly’ language in our political history. He has repeatedly set a record of being in the wrong place on every issue related to domestic and foreign policy for months. Özgür Özel has repeatedly shown that he is only capable of poisoning politics. The language that Özgür Özel uses towards our President is a new ugliness that he has added to his own record. We are returning this ugliness to Özgür Özel because it suits him. Özgür Özel, While the world is going through one of its most difficult times and there are multiple wars around our country, it represents a political fondness that attacks our defense capacity. What the foreigners aim for is Özel’s politics. The result of this alienated policy towards domestic politics is to attack our President in ugly language. And they have made that ugly label their signboard every time.

Nationalist Movement Party Chairman Devlet Bahçeli gave important messages about the agenda at his party’s group meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Bahçeli explained the current situation in the war waged by the USA and Israel against Iran with regime change plans and made a meaningful call to the USA:

During the month of Ramadan, Türkiye was surrounded by the weight of war. The Zionist, imperialist murder network did not say Ramadan, did not say Eid, and tried every violent way to turn our holy days into prisons and poison them. Israel has turned into a device of death that is blind, drinks blood, takes lives, and attacks anyone it comes across. Neighboring geographies are left in dust due to the disproportionate, unfair and unjustified attacks carried out by the USA and Israel in coordination against Iran. Targeting Iran’s religious leaders and prominent figures in state and political life with pinpoint operations not only expands the hostility but also deepens the conflicts and confrontations that will last for many years. Since February 28, it has become clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not an easy prey. The Iranian people, united as one heart and united around the regime and state administration, have literally built a wall of flesh against the attacks. The real regime change, the real change of management should happen in Israel. This should be the first agenda of the US President. It is a great danger for Israel to penetrate the US administration system and direct its decision-making and control bodies in one way or another, and it is a direct insult to the American people.

MOSJID-I-AQSA CANNOT BE THE ZIONIST’S TOY

Eid prayer has not been performed in Masjid al-Aqsa, our first qibla, for 59 years. This despicable treatment has greatly disturbed and offended Muslim hearts and the Islamic world. No one can tamper with the spiritual fabric and historical status quo of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Those who attempt this cannot avoid being condemned to pay the heaviest price in both worlds. Jerusalem is Islam, Masjid al-Aqsa is Islam, it is the first pain of all of us, it is our first qibla, and it can never be tolerated as the toy of zionism.

OUR GOAL OF A TERRORIST-FREE Türkiye HAS BEEN CONFIRMED

The ongoing war on the other side of our borders has shown that no hostile power has a chance of success without dissolving a people, a nation from within. That is why it has been documented and, thank God, confirmed, that our goal of ‘Terrorism-Free Turkey’ is both a blessing from God and the wise wisdom of the magnificent and effective will of the beloved Turkish nation in the pillars of history, culture and sovereignty. The goal of a terrorism-free Türkiye is a historical opportunity. We are on our way, hopefully we will arrive. We set a goal, we will achieve it.

WE WILL CRUSH ANYONE WHO COME INTO OUR STATE

We will not abandon our national unity and the honor of our heart and cultural geographies to colonial calculations, Zionist plans, or the initiative of the dominant powers. Wars will not end unless oil, gas, water, and land to share runs out. It seems that the tears will not stop unless these resources are exhausted. We will not tolerate any threats. We will not compromise our rights, we will crush anyone who stands against our faith, our will and our chastity that comes from being a state.

WE ARE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE

The implementers of Turkish foreign policy are careful and serious in their duties, respectful and prepared in their contacts, brave and kind in their words, mature and constructive in their thoughts, and persistent and level-headed in their actions. Our President’s diplomatic contacts continue uninterruptedly. While our Minister of Foreign Affairs explains Türkiye’s messages, sensitivities and the level of policy followed to his interlocutors in a very balanced and conscious manner, he actively strives for the atmosphere of peace and reconciliation to emerge. The international community should also stop watching the hot war environment from the stands. Every country should be inspired by the “dignified, principled and courageous” attitude of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appeared in front of the cameras after the three-hour cabinet meeting. Erdoğan stated that they did not fall into the traps that some people tried to lure Türkiye into, and said that they did what was necessary against the scoundrels who played with the nation’s nerve endings by using Nevruz as an excuse. President Erdoğan briefly stated the following:

The closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which twenty percent of world energy trade passes, has put the global economy in serious turbulence. The price of Brent oil has increased by 40 percent since February 28. In the face of the ever-increasing economic cost, calls for an immediate end to the war have gained momentum.

AS Türkiye, WE ARE VERY WELL PREPARED

Although the war is Israel’s war, the whole world pays the price. The war is Netanyahu’s war of success, but 8 billion people are paying the price. The massacre network led by Netanyahu must be stopped immediately for the sake of regional peace and humanity, and every country must take a brave and proactive stance on this issue. This meaningless and unlawful war must end, the door to dialogue must be opened, and the productive negotiation process must be started quickly, before there is more destruction, more bloodshed, and damage to the global economy that will take years to repair.

Just like a century ago, our region has once again been determined as the battlefield of the new world order. As Türkiye, as the government, we have prepared very well for this new conflict and war conjuncture of the world. We have taken steps to strengthen Türkiye’s energy supply security. We have implemented projects that will both diversify resources and put our own underground resources into use.

WE DON’T WANT A WAR OF ATTRIBUTATION

We are determined to keep our country out of this ring of fire. We never want the war to turn into a war of attrition between the countries of the region. War leaves deep scars not only in cities and production facilities, but also in the minds and hearts with the destruction it causes. Reprisals, especially against countries in the Gulf, pose such a risk.

These will increase mutual anger, fuel hatred, and pave the way for sowing new seeds of discord between brothers. This should not be allowed. As the war drags on, other complications arise.

NO PROVOCATORS ALLOWED

Nowruz; It has been celebrated in a festive atmosphere for centuries. Although there have been unpleasant incidents that do not suit the spirit of Nevruz before, we see that these incidents have decreased significantly in the last 2 years with the influence of our ‘Terror-Free Türkiye’ process. We do not allow any provocation that casts a shadow on the values ​​that Nevruz represents. Such provocations aiming to undermine our terrorism-free Türkiye process will receive the necessary response from us. We will bring the process we have been carrying out with great common sense for 17 months to its full potential.

WE WILL NOT FALL INTO TRAPS

Türkiye is one of the rare countries that have the courage to call right right and wrong wrong. After the attacks against Iran, which started under the pressure of Israel, this characteristic of our country began to be talked about more. Turkey is one of the countries that has correctly read and analyzed this process, which has drowned our region in the smell of blood and gunpowder, since the first day, and has made a name for itself as the representative of the state mind. We have never been deceived in any period of our history, and today we do not fall into the traps that some people want to lure us into.

TURKISH ECONOMY IS RESILIENT

We closely follow the fluctuations in the markets caused by the war in Iran. This global shock, which suddenly increases oil prices, also has repercussions on the Turkish economy. In order to protect our citizens from this process that negatively affects the whole world, we are taking different measures such as Ecel Mobil. The ‘resistance threshold’ of the Turkish economy in the face of such unexpected shocks is currently at the highest level in its history.

GOOD NEWS FOR DRIVERS

We have instructed our Ministry of Internal Affairs to manage the implementation process regarding license plate, image and sound systems, which has caused complaints from vehicle owners in recent days, very carefully, without causing new grievances to our citizens.