Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday hailed the “sincerity” of the United States and Iran on achieving a cease-fire. However, he warned that Israel may disrupt the process. Fidan also pointed out to Israel’s emerging “state strategy” of finding “new enemies” in the region such as Türkiye.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Fidan also commented on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The minister has been at the forefront of Türkiye’s peace diplomacy, contacting relevant parties to achieve cease-fire in US-Israel-Iran war.

“The whole world wants free international passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Hormuz should remain open through peace, using an international armed force is a challenge,” he said. He stated that Strait of Hormuz issue demonstrated that the war not merely “regional” but a conflict with global repercussions. He highlighted that the Strait was where up to 25% of natural gas and oil shipments went through. “We are facing a situation where a great logistics chain, production and industrial infrastructure is affected,” he added. “The question now is how the Strait is going to be run.” Fidan emphasized the importance of keeping international shipping routes open amid rising tensions in the Gulf. “What the entire world wants is that international transit remain free and not be obstructed,” he said. He warned that stability in the waterway cannot be achieved through forceful measures. “Our position is to reopen it through peace. There are many difficulties in intervening here with an international armed peace force,” he said.

He also noted that there was a thin line of being party to the conflict targeting Iran and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. “But no country wants to be part of this war, Europeans in particular openly expressed this,” he stated.

On Türkiye’s stand, Fidan pointed out the stance adopted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since the beginning of the war and this was “the policy of keeping Türkiye out of war.” He said the situation in Hormuz had a significant impact on the global markets and Türkiye made every contribution to resolve the issue. The minister, however, added that Türkiye was not “very much dependent on Strait of Hormuz in terms of energy security, energy supplies.” “Share of natural gas in electricity production dropped and share of renewable energy sources dramatically increased in past two decades. But we feel the indirect impact of the situation, especially on pricing. Energy supplies are delivered smoothly but pricing poses a problem. This may be a burden on the economy in the long run,” he warned.

Fidan also warned about Israel’s actions in Syria and Lebanon. On incursions into Syria, Fidan noted that it also posed a major risk for Türkiye. He said Israeli attacks in Lebanon resembled what it has done in Gaza, underlining that it engaged in a depopulation campaign by destroying housing and infrastructure.

Türkiye’s top diplomat said such negotiations start out with maximalist demands, but the sides usually try to find common ground with the support of mediators. “We only hope that they will have a lasting intention to reach a cease-fire and sustain it. As far as I can see, they are sincere on this,” he said. Fidan noted they were in touch with the sides after the talks in Islamabad, and throughout Sunday, they held talks on assessing the point of deadlock in the talks and what Türkiye can do to resolve it. He pointed out the “Israel factor.” “We should always consider what Israel can do to disrupt it. We always highlighted this to the U.S. side,” he stated.

On the contents of the talks, Fidan said it should be acknowledged that it might not have been technically possible to agree upon a final document within a timetable of 15 days, based on the topics discussed at the Islamabad meeting. He said that if any progress can be made, the sides can agree upon an additional cease-fire for continuing talks for a time period between 45 and 60 days. “If the talks turn to the nuclear issue with an all-or-nothing approach, especially on the issue of uranium enrichment, the talks can hit a serious obstacle. Still, this may be overcome with the support of mediators, other countries,” he stressed. He warned that military approaches to securing key global sea lanes would be highly complex and urged diplomacy to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint.

Israel seeks enemies

He further commented on Israel’s regional posture, saying: “We see that Israel may seek to designate Türkiye as a new adversary after Iran, as it cannot sustain itself without an enemy.” “After Iran, Israel cannot live without an enemy,” Fidan underlined.

“We see that not only Netanyahu’s administration but also some figures in the opposition, though not all, are seeking to declare Türkiye the new enemy,” he said. “This is a new development in Israel, turning into a state strategy,” he added.

His statements follow social media posts by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz who targeted President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in insulting remarks. Statements of Israeli officials, apparently aimed to encourage the opposition to take action against Erdoğan, backfired. Both government officials and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) were united in their condemnation of Israeli officials’ remarks, standing for Erdoğan against what they described as the words of perpetrators of genocide in Gaza.

On a question whether Israel shifted gears in its approach to Türkiye and whether it was a permanent policy, Fidan answered “both.” “Israel has an inferiority complex due to our president’s political leadership in the region. They cannot admit how Türkiye elevated its role in the region with its strategic balancing. They cannot steer Türkiye,” he said. He said many countries oppose Israel’s policies toward Palestine and Lebanon but Türkiye had a different diplomatic approach, standing out among others. “Our president’s global leadership, his close ties with leaders, Türkiye’s network of interaction, all of these affect Israel’s rhetoric to create illusions about the truth. In this context, it is understandable that they attack our president, our political elite,” he said.

Risks in Syria

Turning to Syria, Fidan described the situation as a major security concern for Turkiye. “We see a major problem area in Syria. This is a big risk for us,” he said, referring to Israel’s attacks. He added that Israel’s current focus on its confrontation with Iran could delay but not rule out its future moves in Syria. “Because of the war underway in Iran, it is not doing certain things (against Syria), but that does not mean it will not. When the time comes, it will want to do it,” he said.

Following the collapse of the Baathist regime in 2024, Israel declared the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between the two sides no longer valid, moved into the Syrian buffer zone and has since carried out near-daily strikes and incursions. Israeli forces target Syrian territory almost daily, carrying out ground incursions, particularly in rural areas of Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints to search and question passersby, and damaging agricultural land. Türkiye views it as part of Israel’s aggressive expansionism in the region and is worried that it may fuel instability in post-civil war Syria. Damascus is already trying to stay away from the spillover of the U.S.-Israel-Iran war.

Fidan also criticized regional cooperation formats involving Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and Israel, arguing they heighten tensions rather than ease them. “Their cooperation does not bring more trust, it brings more mistrust. It brings more problems and war,” he said. He also called for a wider regional security framework based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity across the Middle East.

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The Spanish port of Barcelona is set to see off activists of the second Global Sumud Flotilla later on Sunday.

Activists from Türkiye will soon join the flotilla, which aims to break the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian enclave Gaza, where tens of thousands of people have been slaughtered by Israel since 2023 and many more have been left to survive on limited means.

About 30 boats planned to ​leave the Mediterranean port city laden with ​medical aid ⁠and other supplies on the Global Sumud Flotilla, and more vessels are expected to join along the route toward Palestine.

Sümeyra Akdeniz Ordu, one of the Turkish activists and organizers of the flotilla, told Anadolu Agency (AA) on Sunday that they expanded their strategy this time and it was not only about breaking the blockade through a sea route. “We will also launch a land convoy and hold a congress on April 22. She said “the unity at sea and land” will launch pressure on governments that endorsed Israel’s genocide. Ordu is the only Turkish organizer of the flotilla and said their numbers will be higher this time.

“In our first attempt, we achieved some concrete results. For instance, Palestinian fishermen were able to fish off the coast of Gaza after a long time because Israelis were too distracted as they were busy with stopping us. Then, we witnessed a cease-fire even if it was not fully honored. Moreover, we had the support of Palestinians who invited us again. We are doing this because they expect us,” she stated.

The Israeli military halted the roughly 40 boats assembled by the same organization last October as they attempted to reach blockaded Gaza, arresting Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and more than 450 other participants.

Israel, which controls all access to the Gaza Strip, denies withholding supplies for its more than 2 million residents. ⁠Yet Palestinians ⁠and international aid bodies say supplies reaching the territory are still insufficient, despite a cease-fire reached in October, which included guarantees of increased aid.

Liam Cunningham, an actor who starred in the “Game of Thrones” television series who is supporting the flotilla but not taking part, told Reuters: “Every kilogram of aid that is on these ships is a failure because all these people ⁠on these ships giving up their time to help their fellow human beings are doing what their governments are legally obliged to do.”

The World Health ​Organization has said that even during armed conflicts, states are obligated under ​international humanitarian law to ensure that people are able to reach medical care in safety.

“This is a mission that ⁠aims to ‌open ‌a humanitarian corridor so the aid delivery organizations ⁠can arrive,” Saif Abukeshak, a Palestinian activist ‌and member of the flotilla’s organising committee, told Reuters.

Speaking at a news conference in Ankara earlier this week, Zeynel Abidin Özkan, a Turkish activist who took part in the first flotilla, said that number of boats will increase this time. “More boats will join them in Italian, Greek and Turkish territorial waters,” he said.

Created in 2025 by NGO representatives, activists and volunteers from various countries, the flotilla last sailed in September with 42 boats and 462 people. This time, it will have at least 70 boats and nearly 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries.

One of the flotilla’s spokespersons, Pablo Castilla, stated that the main goal of the initiative is “to condemn international complicity in what is happening in Gaza, demand accountability, and open a humanitarian corridor by sea and land.” Castilla expressed concern that international attention on Gaza has declined due to U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, and Israel’s actions in Lebanon. “Israel has intensified the blockade on Gaza, restricted aid entry, expanded settlements, and accelerated land confiscation,” he said.

Other organizers emphasized that they are acting within the law and that the mission is being coordinated with Palestinian civil society organizations, legal experts, politicians and specialists in maritime security and media strategy. This year, the participation of well-known NGOs such as Greenpeace and Open Arms, along with increased support from the Barcelona municipality, stands out.

During the flotilla’s previous attempt in September, Israeli forces stopped the vessels in what organizers described as an unlawful intervention, boarded them, detained volunteers and took them to Israel.

Israeli naval forces initially boarded several boats about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast, cutting communications and blocking signals. They also used drones to interfere, disrupting emergency signals and live broadcasts of the boarding.

The Gaza Strip needs around 450 tons of flour daily, while only around 200 tons are currently available, Gaza’s government media office said Sunday.

Israel is intensifying a policy of “engineered starvation” in Gaza by restricting flour supplies, the office said in a statement.

Despite the cease-fire agreement that allows the entry of 600 trucks per day, Israel allows only 38% of pre-war supply, it added.

The office said the crisis worsened after World Central Kitchen halted its flour support, as the U.S.-based charity previously provided 20 to 30 tons daily, while the World Food Program reduced its supplies from 300 to 200 tons per day, adding that several other organizations have also suspended their bread and flour programs to the enclave.

About 1.9 million people in Gaza, out of a population of 2.4 million, remain displaced and live in harsh conditions in worn-out tents after their homes were destroyed during Israel’s two-year war.

Despite the cease-fire agreement that took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, living conditions have not significantly improved, amid Israel’s failure to allow the agreed levels of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies and shelter materials.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and injured about 172,000 others, and has caused widespread destruction affecting around 90% of civilian infrastructure.

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Few people in Türkiye were familiar with Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of Ugandan Armed Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni. It all changed after a series of tweets he fired up over the past two days.

The general, who fashioned out his tweets with occasional all caps like U.S. President Donald Trump, threatened to cut off all ties with Türkiye and asked for $1 billion from the country as well as “most beautiful wife” within one month in now-deleted rants on Twitter.

Many on Turkish social media wondered the reasoning behind tweets while Ankara has been quiet on Kainerugaba.

Within hours, Turks flooded his social media accounts with insults and some even called him to dare to attack Türkiye.

A Twitter user pointed out that Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP) was smaller than Izmir, Türkiye’s third-largest city while another social media user said that Uganda “with its two tanks and 5,000 pistols” cannot threaten Türkiye.

Turkish Foreign Ministry did not comment on the tweets while Kainerugaba posted another tweet on Saturday, saying he loved Turkish people despite “insults.” He also retweeted Adonia Ayebare, who tweeted that general’s tweets were reflection of “dissatisfaction with the way Uganda’s serious concerns have been handled.”

“There should be no cause for alarm,” Ayebare assured.

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Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the Iran cease-fire negotiations in calls with U.S. and Pakistani officials who participated in the weekend talks in Islamabad, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said Sunday.

Fidan and the U.S. and Pakistani officials, including his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar, discussed the approaches presented by both sides during the negotiations and addressed future course of action.

Iranian and U.S. delegations concluded face-to-face talks in the Pakistani capital early Sunday, without reaching an agreement.

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, sparking retaliation from Tehran that has plunged the Middle East into conflict and shaken the global economy.

Iran and the U.S. had entered the talks mediated by Pakistan with maximalist positions, with Washington piling pressure by saying it had sent minesweeping ships through the vital Strait of Hormuz maritime route.

Signs of strain in the negotiations appeared when Iranian media accused the United States of making “excessive demands” over the strait, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil transited before its effective closure by Iran during the war.

Following more than 20 hours of talks in Islamabad, U.S. Vice President JD Vance admitted the yawning differences between the U.S. and Iran proved to be insurmountable for the moment.

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Türkiye Communications Directorate’s Center for Countering Disinformation has rejected social media claims that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan threatened to invade Israel, saying the posts rely on an out-of-context quote from a 2024 speech.

“The assertions in these posts do not reflect the facts and constitute narratives intended to undermine regional stability. In line with its long-standing state tradition and vision, the Republic of Türkiye has consistently assumed a leading role, both in our region and beyond, in advocating for an end to bloodshed, the protection of civilians, and the establishment of lasting peace,” the Center said in a statement Monday.

“In addressing regional crises and disputes, Türkiye has always prioritized international law and diplomatic channels, pursuing an approach that de-escalates tensions rather than escalating them,” the statement added.

“Under the leadership of President Erdoğan, Türkiye remains committed to ensuring that the peoples of the region live in peace, security and prosperity, without discrimination,” the Center said.

“Manipulative contents that seek to distort Türkiye’s efforts and humanitarian stance should not be given credence. As it has in the past, Türkiye will continue to be a voice of justice and peace in the region,” it added.

Türkiye, over the past few years, has emerged as a key mediator in its region and beyond, stepping in to bring together warring sides, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as Somalia and Ethiopia, to the negotiation table.

During the 40-day US-Israel war on Iran, it pursued a peace diplomacy to launch cease-fire negotiations, succeeding to some extent. Ankara was also part of the talks that ultimately led to a cease-fire in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

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The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) faces a fateful reckoning in a trial over allegations of vote-buying during an intra-party election. Ahead of the next hearing in the trial next month, the party’s former chair, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, has a steady stream of “visitors,” urging him to return to the party.

Kılıçdaroğlu, defeated by incumbent Özgür Özel in a November 2023 election, has signalled earlier that he may accept the role of trustee if the court issued a verdict against Özel on charges of allegations that he paid bribes to the voters to defeat him. The said verdict will likely be “absolute nullification,” which will suspend the duties of the Özel administration and will install a trustee. Kılıçdaroğlu is viewed as the most suitable candidate and one of his former lieutenants already took the office of trustee at CHP’s Istanbul branch after a similar case of vote-buying.

The former bureaucrat who ran CHP for 13 years still has backers within the party and is reportedly in touch with some 100 lawmakers in Türkiye’s oldest party.

Among the visitors of the former chair who ran unsuccessfully in the 2023 presidential elections against incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are former lawmakers, heads of CHP’s provincial and district branches and delegates who were active in the party during his reign.

The party sources said Kılıçdaroğlu’s meetings with fellow members of the party focused on scenarios about the future of CHP if the court issued a verdict of absolute nullification. Visitors vent their complaints about the Özel administration to Kılıçdaroğlu and stress the need to expel those involved in corruption, the sources said. The said corruption so far saw more than 20 mayors of the party detained or arrested for taking bribes. In other cases, dissidents within CHP complain about well-documented extramarital affairs of the party’s prominent figures.

As for the Özel administration’s plan to cling to power in case of a court verdict against them, sources say they plot legal maneuvers to dodge it, such as holding extraordinary elections, confident that they would win the office again. Özel succeeded in reelection last year after CHP dissidents filed the lawsuit over vote-buying allegations. In another scenario, they plan to start another party and transfer current lawmakers to the new one.

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