Politics
Fidan highlights prescient Turkish foreign policy amid raging war
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan scaled back his official visits abroad in recent weeks but conducts a busy diplomatic blitz via phone and occasional meetings as the U.S.-Israel war against Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strikes rock the region. Türkiye’s top diplomat dismissed criticism from the opposition on the country’s foreign policy regarding the war in a terse post on his social media account on Wednesday.
The minister did not mention the war in his post, but it was apparently a blunt response to those seeking to push Türkiye to take sides in the war, specifically by openly aligning with Iran. Türkiye already expressed its opposition to the war, but also criticized Iran for attacks on the Gulf countries, allies of Ankara. Türkiye itself saw missiles landing on its territories while Iran denied that the missiles were theirs.
Fidan said Türkiye’s foreign policy was not shaped by knee-jerk reactions. “They are shaped by the state mindset and strategic foresight, with an independent will centered on our nation’s interests,” Fidan said.
He underlined that under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strong and resilient leadership, Türkiye has become an international actor with a say in international affairs, an actor with gravity that has an impact on the balance of matters. Fidan said that the critique of the foreign policy ignored the steps Ankara has taken as a responsible state and warped his statements. He also stressed that these were a “product of the malignant minds lacking common sense and any responsibility towards our nation.”
The minister added that Türkiye approaches regional crises calmly and takes responsibility for peace and stability. “Türkiye is a country that has been able to tell all the sides (of a conflict) what it views as right and in a clear way. False allegations against our policy cannot overshadow Türkiye’s sincere efforts,” Fidan added.
Fidan continued an intensive round of telephone diplomacy this week aimed at ending the conflict. The push follows Fidan’s mid-March visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Between March 22 and March 25, Fidan held discussions with a wide range of international counterparts to evaluate efforts to secure a cease-fire.
On March 22, Fidan spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. He also held talks with U.S. officials. On the same day, he consulted with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and officials from Pakistan.
The next day, the foreign minister held separate calls with Egypt’s Abdelatty and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. He also re-engaged with the Saudi foreign minister to review ongoing peace efforts.
On Wednesday, Fidan spoke with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to exchange views on ending the hostilities. He later held discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Qatar’s Al Thani, and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.
In a call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also on Wednesday, Fidan discussed recent regional developments and emphasized the urgency of ending the war. The two ministers noted that maintaining uninterrupted transportation lines, energy supplies and global supply chains is critical to regional stability. They also reviewed bilateral economic and trade relations, including mutual investments. Fidan concluded the round of talks by speaking again with Iran’s Araghchi to discuss the latest status of the conflict between Iran and the U.S.-Israeli forces.
Turkish diplomatic sources said on Wednesday that Minister Hakan Fidan had a phone call with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. It was the latest instance of Fidan’s intense phone diplomacy amid the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Sources said Fidan discussed the war and efforts to end the conflict.
The ministers “emphasized the need for an immediate end to the war”, sources said, adding they stressed as “critically important” maintaining the uninterrupted operation of transport lines, as well as energy and supply chains.
Earlier on Wednesday, Fidan also held phone calls with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.
The calls focused on the latest situation regarding “war in the region,” sources said, referring to the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, adding that ministers discussed efforts to stop the attacks.
Fidan spearheads Türkiye’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region as Ankara reportedly pursues the role of the mediator in the conflict. Türkiye maintains close ties with both Iran and the United States and has also stepped up cooperation with the Gulf countries in recent years. The country criticized attacks by both the U.S. and Israel and Iran’s strikes in the Gulf countries. However, it did not openly take sides.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek filed a lawsuit against the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel over the latter’s allegations on March 17 that Gürlek amassed wealth through title deeds.
Gürlek has denied claims that he had an abundance of properties acquired while he was still a prosecutor and told journalists on March 18 that he had only four properties he purchased far below the astronomical fees Özel claimed.
The minister’s lawyer filed a petition to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul for the lawsuit against Özel on charges of insult, defamation and forgery in official documents. Separately, Gürlek sought TL 1 million ($23,000) compensation from the CHP leader.
The petition says Özel launched a systematic defamation campaign against Gürlek and utilized fake documents to prop up his claims. It says that the CHP leader sought to portray Gürlek in a negative light and that his repeated statements against the minister on several occasions were “attacks on Gürlek’s individual rights.” It also said that the allegations that Gürlek had dozens of properties acquired through illegal means were baseless and a figment of Özel’s imagination and pointed out that the title deeds Özel displayed at a news conference on March 17 were fake.
In statements to journalists on March 18, Gürlek argued that Özel’s remarks were politically motivated and aimed at diverting public attention from what he described as a major corruption case.
“Özel’s primary objective is to obscure what has been called the ‘corruption case of the century,’” he stressed.
He also linked the allegations to a separate judicial process involving Antalya’s jailed mayor, Muhittin Böcek, claiming that Özel was attempting to influence public perception regarding that case as well.
The justice minister said he owns four properties, all of which have been officially declared through mandatory asset disclosures required of judges and prosecutors. He disputed claims about the value of one property in Istanbul’s Tuzla district, saying it was worth “TL 3 million to 4 million, not TL 30 million as alleged.”
Gürlek has been in the crosshairs of criticism by the main opposition over the investigation into corruption allegations in CHP-run municipalities.
The party’s leader recently stepped up rhetoric against Gürlek, leading prosecutors in Ankara to launch an investigation into his remarks.
Özel claimed Gürlek was rounding up people linked to his party unfairly, and he would “show him.” He also implied Gürlek lacked “namus” (a Turkish word roughly meaning honesty or dignity) in the same speech. Such a description can be interpreted as a severe insult punishable under Turkish laws.
The CHP launched a blitz against prosecutors and the government in the wake of the arrest of the party’s Istanbul mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, in March on graft charges. More arrests followed as investigators dug deeper into a criminal network allegedly led by Imamoğlu. Before his appointment as Justice Minister in February, Gürlek was Istanbul’s chief prosecutor and led investigations into the wrongdoings of Imamoğlu and his associates. The Imamoğlu case was dubbed as corruption of the century by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).
Environment Minister Murat Kurum will travel to New York this week to attend events marking International Zero Waste Day and to promote Türkiye’s bid and vision for hosting the COP31 climate summit, officials said Wednesday.
Kurum is scheduled to take part in a series of meetings and events on March 25-27 as part of a three-day visit to the U.S., according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change. The visit coincides with global activities ahead of March 30, designated by the United Nations as International Zero Waste Day.
During his trip, Kurum is expected to brief U.N. representatives on Türkiye’s preparations and priorities for COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Türkiye aims to position the summit as an “implementation COP,” focusing on concrete actions, cooperation and measurable outcomes.
The minister will begin his New York program with a meeting at the Turkish House (Türkevi), where he will address representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and nearly 140 U.S.-based business leaders and civil society participants. In his remarks, Kurum is expected to highlight Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project, launched under the patronage of Emine Erdoğan, as a key pillar of the country’s environmental policy.
Kurum will also hold bilateral meetings with senior international officials, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He is expected to meet with the head of the U.N. Development Programme and the executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme, where discussions will focus on climate cooperation, sustainability efforts and Türkiye’s COP31 agenda.
On March 27, Kurum will address delegates at the U.N. General Assembly, outlining Türkiye’s vision for COP31 and its broader climate strategy. According to the ministry, his speech will emphasize dialogue, consensus and action as central elements of the planned summit. Türkiye also intends to prioritize clean energy, green transformation and international climate cooperation during the conference.
Following his address, Kurum will attend events marking International Zero Waste Day at U.N. headquarters. The program will include a video message from Emine Erdoğan, honorary chair of the Zero Waste Foundation, alongside speeches by senior international officials and environmental leaders.
The Zero Waste initiative, which promotes sustainable consumption and waste reduction, has been a cornerstone of Türkiye’s environmental messaging in recent years.
First lady Emine Erdoğan promotes water conservation through the Zero Waste Foundation, and the broader Zero Waste Movement, highlighting the protection of water resources and sustainable practices in Türkiye and around the world.
One of the projects is the “Zero Waste Blue – Drop by Drop” campaign, which highlights marine, lake and coastal conservation and encourages citizens to adopt sustainable behaviors that reduce water and resource waste.
Separately, Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications will host an international media program in Istanbul and the northwestern province of Kocaeli from March 27 to March 29 as part of preparations for the climate summit. The event, titled “Road to COP31: Sustainable Future International Media Program,” will bring together 17 journalists from eight countries.
The program aims to increase international awareness of Türkiye’s environmental policies, technological capabilities and scientific infrastructure. Participants will visit the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye’s (TÜBİTAK) Marmara Research Center, where they will receive briefings on wastewater monitoring systems, air quality technologies and environmentally friendly production processes.
In Kocaeli, journalists will observe environmental projects in the Gulf of Izmit, including seabed cleaning operations and marine waste collection efforts. Officials say the visits are intended to showcase Türkiye’s practical steps to protect ecosystems and combat pollution.
The media tours are expected to continue through a series of programs leading up to November, when Türkiye plans to host COP31. Authorities say the initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen international engagement and build support for the country’s climate leadership ambitions.
The COP31, which Türkiye will host, is scheduled to take place from Nov. 9-20, 2026, primarily in Antalya on the Turkish Riviera, with a leaders’ summit in Istanbul.
At the gathering, nearly 200 countries are expected to convene in Türkiye to discuss the next steps in implementing the Paris Agreement, including updated emission reduction targets, adaptation measures, climate finance and carbon market rules.
Foreign Ministry sources said on Wednesday that Minister Hakan Fidan held phone calls with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, and Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. The calls focused on the latest situation regarding “war in the region,” sources said, referring to the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, adding that ministers discussed efforts to stop the attacks.
Fidan spearheads Türkiye’s efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region as Ankara reportedly pursues the role of the mediator in the conflict. Türkiye maintains close ties both with both Iran and the United States and has also stepped up cooperation with the Gulf countries in recent years. The country criticized attacks by both the U.S. and Israel and Iran’s strikes in the Gulf countries. However, it did not openly take sides.
“We see the confidence in Türkiye is rising (after the war began). We never adopted an ambivalent stance on the matter. Everyone is aware that we told each side what mistakes they made. We strongly and clearly voice our opinion about how it was wrong what was done to Iran and as well as to the Gulf countries,” he told journalists on Saturday.
The war led by Israel against regional countries is imposing a growing cost on the entire world, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday, warning that escalating tensions, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, are pushing the global economy into turmoil, as its consequences are being felt far beyond the Middle East.
“As the war drags on, new complications continue to emerge,” Erdoğan told a news conference after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, pointing to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a development that has already caused serious turbulence in the global economy.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the waterway, through which roughly 20% of global energy trade passes, Erdoğan warned that disruptions have forced some countries to take measures to reduce fuel consumption.
He emphasized that the economic burden of the conflict is growing by the day, underlining the urgent need to bring the war to an end.
Erdoğan also called for immediate action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his circle, describing them as responsible for ongoing violence and urging all countries to adopt a bold and proactive stance for the sake of regional peace and humanity.
Türkiye, he said, has been among the countries accurately assessing the developments and acting with “state wisdom,” while maintaining a balanced and principled position.
“We are determined to keep our country outside the ring of fire,” Erdoğan added, warning against the risk of the conflict turning into a prolonged war of attrition among regional states.
He stressed that Türkiye does not want to see the conflict expand further, reiterating Ankara’s call for de-escalation and a swift resolution.
Erdoğan’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the broader economic and geopolitical consequences of the war, as energy markets and global trade routes face increasing pressure.
Türkiye, a neighbor of Iran and a NATO ally of the United States, has been keen on defusing the conflict. Türkiye, Pakistan and Egypt passed messages between Washington and Tehran over the weekend, U.S.-based Axios reported Monday.
Türkiye, Egypt and Pakistan are seeking a mediator role for bringing together U.S. and Iranian officials, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday. Turkish officials did not comment on the report, although Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has recently acknowledged diplomatic efforts to end the U.S.-Israel-Iran war.
The report says three countries aimed to have a meeting arranged between the U.S. and Iran within the next 48 hours, before U.S. President Donald Trump’s deadline to Iran for strikes on energy infrastructure expires on Saturday. Daily Sabah reached out to the Foreign Ministry for a comment. The ministry did not comment on the matter but pointed out to a week of phone diplomacy by Minister Hakan Fidan. Fidan, who recently toured the Gulf countries affected by the war for talks on the conflict, has been busy with a diplomatic blitz to secure peace between the sides. He has engaged in talks with many counterparts, from Iran’s Abbas Araghchi to Egypt’s Badr Abdelatty, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and U.S. officials.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed his country’s readiness to host “conclusive” U.S.-Iran talks. On Monday, Sharif also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, where he expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and called for “collective” efforts to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has emerged as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran, with Islamabad signaling readiness to host talks if both sides agree. A 15-point U.S. peace plan, delivered via Pakistan, outlines steps addressing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs as well as maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a New York Times report.
Hostilities in the region have escalated since a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed over 1,340 people since Feb. 28. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, along with Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, which it says are hosting “U.S. military assets.”
Türkiye, a neighbor of Iran and a NATO ally of the United States, has been keen on defusing the conflict. Türkiye, Pakistan and Egypt passed messages between Washington and Tehran over the weekend, U.S.-based Axios reported Monday.
The war led by Israel against regional countries is imposing a growing cost on the entire world, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday, warning that escalating tensions, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, are pushing the global economy into turmoil, as its consequences are being felt far beyond the Middle East.
“As the war drags on, new complications continue to emerge,” Erdoğan told a news conference after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, pointing to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a development that has already caused serious turbulence in the global economy.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the waterway, through which roughly 20% of global energy trade passes, Erdoğan warned that disruptions have forced some countries to take measures to reduce fuel consumption.
He emphasized that the economic burden of the conflict is growing by the day, underlining the urgent need to bring the war to an end.
Erdoğan also called for immediate action against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his circle, describing them as responsible for ongoing violence and urging all countries to adopt a bold and proactive stance for the sake of regional peace and humanity.
Türkiye, he said, has been among the countries accurately assessing the developments and acting with “state wisdom,” while maintaining a balanced and principled position.
“We are determined to keep our country outside the ring of fire,” Erdoğan added, warning against the risk of the conflict turning into a prolonged war of attrition among regional states.
He stressed that Türkiye does not want to see the conflict expand further, reiterating Ankara’s call for de-escalation and a swift resolution.
Erdoğan’s remarks come amid growing concerns over the broader economic and geopolitical consequences of the war, as energy markets and global trade routes face increasing pressure.
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