The U.S.-Israel-Iran war has no prospects of ending any time soon, as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged that there was no serious initiative to resume negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, but he added that he believed Iran was open to back-channel talks.

The comments by Fidan to The Associated Press (AP) in an exclusive interview came as Ankara is striving to stay out of the widening war in the Middle East.

Ankara, which has good relations with both Washington and Tehran, had attempted to mediate a solution between them before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran two weeks ago, triggering the war.

“The conditions are not very much conducive” to diplomacy now, Fidan said. The Iranians “feel betrayed” because for a second time they were attacked while in active negotiations with the U.S. over their nuclear program, he said, but added, “I think they are open to any sensible back-channel diplomacy.”

Fidan served as Türkiye’s intelligence chief for more than a decade before being appointed foreign minister in 2023. In that role, he played a key part in shaping Türkiye’s policy in the Middle East, particularly toward Syria, Iraq and Iran.

Türkiye has maintained a neutral position in the war, criticizing both the U.S and Israeli strikes against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions against Gulf states that host U.S. bases. Fidan said he has been attempting to persuade the Iranians to halt those attacks.

Fidan said Türkiye’s top priority is to remain outside of the conflict, even after three missiles believed to come from Iran were intercepted over Türkiye by NATO defenses. Türkiye is a NATO member, and an air base in southern Türkiye is used by NATO forces, including U.S. troops.

Iranian officials have insisted that they did not fire at Türkiye, although the available data shows that the missiles came from Iran, the Turkish foreign minister said.

He ruled out a military response at this stage, saying that NATO’s defenses were effective and that Ankara’s “primary objective” is to stay out of the conflict.

“I know that we are being provoked and we will be provoked, but this is our objective,” he said. “We want to stay out of this war.”

Fidan, who has regular contact with Iranian officials, said he does not know the severity of the wounds suffered by Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in a strike earlier in the war, but that, “What we know is that he is alive and functioning.” Khamenei was appointed to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed Feb. 28 during the war’s opening salvo. Fidan said “the process of electing a new leader and the medical conditions of the new leader, it created a gap” in Iran’s power structure, and “I think that gap has been filled by the high command of the Revolutionary Guards,” referring to the paramilitary force reporting to the Supreme Leader.

Before the conflict, Türkiye tried to avert a war by offering to host talks in Istanbul that would have brought the U.S., Iran and other regional countries together. Iran later opted for talks mediated by Oman, without the participation of regional actors and focusing solely on its nuclear program, talks that ultimately failed.

Fidan said that Iran had refused to discuss its missile program and the proxy armed groups it backs in the region, including the Lebanese Hezbollah and a group of Iraqi militias, both of which have now waded into the regional war.

Türkiye had proposed that “the Americans and the Iranians can discuss the nuclear issue fully, and we as regional countries can come together to discuss the other two with Iran” as part of an initiative to build trust within the region.

Türkiye and Israel have tense relations, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan becoming one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Türkiye has cut trade ties with Israel and frequently accuses Israel of committing genocide.

Since Israel launched its strikes on Iran, some have gone as far as to suggest that Türkiye could be the next target. Fidan dismissed that possibility, while acknowledging that the war in Iran gave Türkiye an increased incentive to step up its own production of weapons and air defenses.

“As long as Netanyahu is there, (Israel) will always identify somebody as an enemy,” he said. “Because they need it to advance their own agenda. If not Türkiye, they would name some other country in the region.”

He criticized Israel’s role elsewhere in the region, including in Syria, where both countries have strategic interests.

Türkiye has been a strong backer of the current government in Damascus, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Since the new Syrian government took power in December 2024, Israeli forces have seized control of a swathe of land in southern Syria and launched airstrikes on Syrian military facilities, wiping out much of the country’s arsenal. Israel has said its presence in Syria is meant to secure its border from attacks.

Israel after more land

“They are after not security, they are after more land,” Fidan said. “So as long as they don’t give up this idea, there will always be a war in the Middle East.”

Türkiye has also sought to play an active role in postwar Gaza. It has joined U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace and has offered to supply troops for an international stabilization force in the battered enclave.

Fidan said it was important for Türkiye to join the Board of Peace, as an “opportunity” to stop the war, although “we are not under the illusion that the Board of Peace will address all the existing issues.”

Fidan said Türkiye has not received a request to contribute troops to the stabilization force, which he attributed to the Israeli opposition, but added, “I think the Americans are quietly trying to settle the issue with the Israelis to allow Türkiye to participate.”

Fidan said, however, that Türkiye’s priority was the establishment of an administration committee for Gaza, which is to be made up of 15 politically independent Palestinian administrators.

“We expect them to go into Gaza and start their work,” he said. “This has not started yet, so we need to start from somewhere.”

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Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş is cautiously optimistic about the terror-free Türkiye initiative to end years of PKK terrorism. Also the chair of the Parliament’s terror-free committee, formally known as the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, Kurtulmuş came together with representatives of Turkish media outlets on Saturday.

“This is not like 2013 or any other process,” Kurtulmuş was quoted by journalists, referring to government-sponsored efforts in the past to end PKK terrorism. The “reconciliation process,” as it was known, sought to curb the PKK’s influence on the Kurdish community and address the rights issues the terrorist group exploited. It ultimately collapsed in a few years, but Türkiye pursues a more dedicated approach to the matter now as part of the initiative launched in 2024. Unlike the previous process, where the PKK consented to a unilateral “truce,” the group this time agreed to dissolve itself. Yet, full dissolution is yet to be confirmed.

Kurtulmuş said another failure in ending the existence of the PKK would inflict a heavy toll on “politics.” “We may face a direr situation. We are now going through times of conflict in the region, and there are circles ready to stoke the burning fire,” he said.

He said the initiative was mainly shaped as a response to the developments in the region, referring to calls by its architects, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli to create a “home front” to confront the threats. “Nothing is incidental in this region. The process, which began with the U.S. invasion of Iraq, triggered another process for ethnic and sectarian divide. Many countries suffered as a consequence. We have to revert this. Türkiye paid a heavy toll in terrorism and we have to act swiftly. Zionism is raising the stakes and we cannot ignore this. They try to deal a final blow to the region. They tried it with civil wars in Lebanon and Syria, they tried it with swift regime changes in the region. They planned the final stage of their plan by targeting Gaza. The Greater Israel Project’s main target is Türkiye. So, we have to reinforce the country, the home front,” he said.

Kurtulmuş hailed that the committee he chaired managed to agree on a joint text that will serve as a road map for Parliament on taking the next steps in the terror-free Türkiye initiative. Parliament is expected to introduce new bills or amend the laws to facilitate the disarmament of the terrorist group. Kurtulmuş said the legislation process should be swift, adding that the issue would likely be on the agenda of Parliament after the upcoming Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr or Ramadan Bayram. He stated that confirmation of the PKK’s full disarmament by Turkish security forces was a precondition for legislative steps. “Once this is confirmed, the legal regulations may be implemented,” he said.

He noted that Türkiye already had laws for offering lenient sentencing for members of terrorist groups cooperating with authorities. “But it is the first time that a terrorist group has decided to dissolve itself. Thus, we need new regulations. We agreed on legal proceedings for members of the group if they apply for lenient sentencing or parole, to have a court record. This will prevent the perception that (PKK members) would benefit from an amnesty. Sentencing will remain, but they will be released based on parole conditions if they turn themselves in and renounce membership of PKK,” he said.

Kurtulmuş said one of the most important gains in the initiative has been that all political parties were able to gather around the same table and “reach a conclusion through a very mature democratic negotiation method.” He said this may be the reason that the initiative has been successful so far. “(Presidents and Prime Ministers) Süleyman Demirel, Turgut Özal, Necmettin Erbakan and Erdal Inönü pursued similar initiatives to end PKK terrorism. They succeeded to an extent but ultimately, they failed. Among several factors contributing to the failures was the lack of a political unity,” he said. As for “other factors,” Kurtulmuş gave examples about the recent reconciliation process. “Just when it seemed that a result would almost be achieved, the process was poisoned, be it by killings of Sakine Cansız and others or leaking of the Oslo talks,” he said, referring to murders of top PKK figures in Paris in 2013 and the controversial leak of talks between Turkish officials and PKK-linked names in Norway. “FETÖ members and other elements in the state played a role in undermining that process,” Kurtulmuş said, in reference to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), which had infiltrators in almost every state institution and tried to overthrow the government in 2016 with a military coup attempt.

“One of the most important advantages of the current process is that all institutions and organizations of the state are moving in the same direction and the process is continuing with strong coordination,” Kurtulmuş said.

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Marking the International Day to Combat Islamophobia and commemorating victims of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, the Turkish Foreign Ministry called for stronger global action against intolerance and discrimination targeting Muslims.

In a statement on Turkish social media platform NSosyal, the Foreign Ministry said the seventh anniversary of the March 15, 2019 terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, was being observed with respect for the victims.

Fifty-one victims were killed and 40 injured at the Al-Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre on March 15, 2019, in New Zealand’s deadliest-ever mass shooting.

The ministry recalled that 51 people, including a Turkish citizen, were killed in the attack on two mosques in Christchurch, describing the incident as a heinous act of terrorism.

“On the seventh anniversary of the despicable terrorist attack that took place on March 15, 2019, in Christchurch, we commemorate with respect the 51 people who lost their lives, including one of our citizens, and pray for God’s mercy upon them,” the statement said.

The ministry stressed that the international community must take a firm and unified stance against intolerance, discrimination and violence targeting Muslims across the world.

It said the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed on March 15, also serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to confront crimes committed against human dignity.

Türkiye will continue contributing to international cooperation in the fight against all forms of racism and discrimination, the statement added.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted by consensus in 2022 a resolution declaring March 15 as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said in a statement on the occasion that Türkiye would remain committed to defend humanity’s honor, equality and supremacy of law in the face of all types of discrimination, Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia.

Gürlek said in a social media post on Sunday that Islamophobia was not merely a “phobia” but beyond that, it was a grave issue laying bare the prejudice, discrimination and blatant hostility.

”This phobia is in fact, mostly, oppositon to Islam and enmity towards Islam. Being bothered by minarets, headscarves or any other public display of a faith cannot be explained away as phobia,” Gürlek said.

He stated that targeting people because of their faith, identity or culture, or insulting their places of worship, symbols and values contradicted humanity’s dignity.

”Enmity towards Islam and Muslims should be steadfastly rejected. It is our common responsibility to fight against racism and discrimination threatening social peace and common future, to strengthen an understanding centered on dignity and mutual respect which views diversity as wealth,” he stated.

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Turkish-origin candidates running in municipal elections in the Netherlands say combating racism and discrimination, along with addressing the housing crisis and rising living costs, are among their top priorities ahead of Wednesday’s vote.

Voters across the Netherlands are set to head to the polls on March 18 to elect local councils. Several candidates of Turkish descent representing different political parties say the election carries particular significance for immigrant communities and minority groups.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Eylem Köseoğlu, the lead candidate for the GreenLeft–Labour alliance (GL-PvdA) in the city of Zaanstad, said issues of equal treatment and structural discrimination remain pressing concerns for many residents, particularly in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations.

Köseoğlu criticized what she described as targeted housing inspections in districts with high numbers of residents of Turkish or Moroccan background. According to her, special inspection teams conduct checks in certain neighborhoods in ways that have raised concerns about privacy and fairness.

“The most important issue is equal treatment,” Köseoğlu said. “Fighting crime is important, but crime is always individual. There is no such thing as assuming someone is connected to criminal networks because they are Turkish or Moroccan.”

She said that in some neighborhood authorities enter homes and collect information without residents being fully aware, while similar practices are not carried out in other parts of the city.

“That undermines people’s trust in the government and in municipal authorities,” she said.

Köseoğlu also argued that structural discrimination remains one of the biggest challenges in Dutch society. “It is not always visible, but it exists within the system,” she said, adding that people may face unequal treatment in job applications, internships or the housing market due to their names or backgrounds.

She warned that political rhetoric that divides society into “us and them” can contribute to prejudice. “In the past, such rhetoric would be condemned by society, but now almost anything can be said,” she said.

“These kinds of statements are becoming normalized, and that is very dangerous.”

If elected, Köseoğlu said she would support stricter monitoring in the housing market to detect discriminatory practices and establish more accessible complaint and support mechanisms for victims of discrimination.

She also said municipal administrations should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. “Zaanstad is a very diverse city,” she said. “That diversity should also be visible within the municipal government.”

In Amsterdam, Denk party candidate Numan Yılmaz said housing shortages and the rising cost of living are among the most pressing concerns raised by Turkish-origin voters.

“Young people especially are complaining about housing,” Yılmaz said.

“They cannot find homes, and the ones they find are either extremely expensive or extremely small.”

Yılmaz, who served as a member of the Amsterdam City Council between 2018 and 2022 and previously led the Denk faction in the council, said racism in the Netherlands appears to be increasing despite Amsterdam’s reputation as a politically progressive city.

“Developments around the world are also affecting the Netherlands,” he said. “The country receives a lot of immigrants, and as immigration increases, attitudes toward immigrants can become more negative.”

Yılmaz offered stronger sanctions are needed to combat racism. “When penalties are too light, people feel free to continue and even escalate discriminatory behavior,” he said.

He also pointed out to declining voter participation in some parts of Amsterdam, where turnout has dropped to around 18%.

“That means 82% of people are not voting,” he said. “If people participated, it would not be difficult for our community to secure five, six or even 10 seats in the 45-member council.”

Local councils, he added, directly influence daily life by making decisions that affect housing, education and municipal services. “That is why people should make full use of their right to vote,” he said.

Meanwhile, in The Hague, Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) candidate Fatma Aktaş said economic hardship has become a major concern for residents.

According to Aktaş, roughly 40,000 people in the city are living near the poverty line. “Some families are approaching the hunger threshold,” she said.

“There are municipal social support programs, but they do not reach enough people.”

Aktaş also expressed concern about institutional racism and the lack of effective oversight mechanisms to address complaints. “If there were sufficient control mechanisms, these problems would not grow to this level,” she said.

She argued that tackling racism should involve cooperation across political parties. “It cannot be the responsibility of a single party,” she said.

“Strength comes from unity.”

Aktaş also advocated educational programs aimed at addressing prejudice and promoting understanding, including initiatives within schools.

“I would like to see anti-racism education included in school curricula,” she said. “At the root of racism there is often fear, and that fear can grow and harm society.”

She also encouraged residents to take part in the elections. “In some areas of The Hague, about 26% of voters do not participate,” she said. “No matter which party you support, please vote.”

Aktaş added that she particularly supports greater representation of women in politics.

“Women are the backbone of families and communities. I believe women should have a stronger presence in politics,” she stressed.

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Türkiye’s Embassy in Baghdad has warned Turkish citizens to avoid traveling to Iraq unless absolutely necessary.

The security conditions in Iraq could deteriorate rapidly, the embassy said on Friday in a statement through X.

It advised Turkish citizens to stay away from crowded squares and gathering areas, locations around Baghdad’s Green Zone where protests are held, Baghdad and Erbil international airports and nearby areas, venues frequently visited by third-country nationals, and open spaces where air defense systems may carry out preventive interceptions.

It also urged citizens to avoid Mosul and surrounding settlements, areas near Basra, military zones across Iraq, and critical infrastructure such as oil fields, while exercising maximum caution for their personal safety.

The embassy also recalled that Iraqi airspace has been closed to air traffic due to ongoing regional conflicts and that it has been announced it will remain closed at least until March 16.

Under these circumstances, it noted that travel to Türkiye by land remains possible, provided local conditions and security precautions are carefully considered.

The statement added that the land route between Türkiye and Iraq remains open and that the Habur-Ibrahim Khalil Border Gate continues to operate, reiterating that Turkish citizens should avoid traveling to Iraq unless necessary during this period.

It also said Iraqi authorities have announced that third-country nationals will be granted a seven-day transit visa at land border crossings. “In this context, our citizens who are in other countries in the region and wish to travel to our country via Iraq may benefit from this opportunity,” the statement said.

It also urged citizens to contact Turkish diplomatic missions in Iraq or the Consular Call Center in case of emergencies.

Israel and the U.S. launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing so far around 1,300 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries that are home to U.S. military assets, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

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Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said Sunday that the country will continue its determined fight against irregular migration, migrant smuggling networks and organized crime, stressing the critical role of the Coast Guard Command in protecting the country’s maritime borders and saving lives at sea.

Minister Çiftçi made the remarks during an iftar program hosted by the Coast Guard Command at the Interior Ministry in Ankara, where he praised the institution’s role in combating migrant smuggling, narcotics trafficking and other maritime crimes.

“Irregular migration is one of the fundamental issues in protecting our border security, public order and human life,” Çiftçi noted. “While our country shows compassion to those in need, we are determined to fight against organized structures that turn migrant smuggling into profit.”

He described the Turkish coast guard as the most important force in the Blue Homeland, a term used in Türkiye to describe its maritime jurisdiction and strategic interests at sea.

According to Çiftçi, surveillance, monitoring and intervention operations carried out at sea not only disrupt smuggling networks but also help protect people whose lives are at risk during dangerous migration journeys.

Emphasizing that this determination will continue and migrant smugglers will never be allowed, “Smuggling routes, sea-based shipments and the dark networks trying to establish themselves in coastal areas will be dismantled through your vigilant observation and rapid intervention,” he said.

Çiftçi noted that maritime security operations cannot be measured solely by the number of arrests or interceptions, but also by their deterrent effect against criminal activity.

“The operational capability we maintain at sea represents deterrence, prevention of crime and the protection of our nation’s peace,” he stressed.

The interior minister also highlighted the broader responsibilities of the Coast Guard, which include search and rescue operations, combating irregular migration, ensuring maritime safety and protecting the marine environment.

“The Coast Guard Command is one of our greatest strategic strengths across a wide range of duties from counternarcotics efforts at sea to search and rescue operations and environmental protection,” he said, adding that the government intends to further strengthen the institution’s capabilities.

Coast guard Commander Vice Adm. Ahmet Kendir also addressed the gathering.

Çiftçi also underlined that Türkiye remains firmly committed to combating all forms of crime, including organized criminal networks, human trafficking and terrorism.

“We will continue to confront those who disrupt public order, organized crime networks, smuggling rings, human traffickers and terrorist elements within the framework of the law and with unwavering resolve.”

The minister also underscored the strategic importance of the country’s seas, ports and coastlines.

“The security of our seas is not only a matter of border protection,” he said. “It is also about safeguarding our economy, trade, environment, human life and national will.”

Moreover, reminding us that the Muslim holy month of Ramadan represents a time of compassion and solidarity, he also reiterated Türkiye’s broader political vision under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

He said the government’s “Türkiye Century” vision aims to strengthen national resilience in defense, economic stability, technological development and public security.

Çiftçi also warned about the dangers posed by drug trafficking, describing narcotics as a threat not only to public health but also to society’s stability.

“Drugs are more than a toxic trade,” he said. “They are a hidden trap targeting our youth, weakening families and feeding criminal organizations. We will never allow those who darken the hopes of our young people to succeed.”

He added that protecting the country’s youth and future generations remains a sacred duty for the government and security institutions.

Türkiye is a key transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe, and its coast guard regularly carries out rescue and interception operations along the Aegean coastline.

The country has intensified nationwide operations in recent years amid rising regional migration pressures.

Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry announced that 478 irregular migrants and 19 migrant smugglers were captured in nationwide inspections.

Police, gendarmerie, coast guard and border patrols joined forces for inspections in 81 provinces under the coordination of the General Directorate of Migration.

In a social media post, the ministry said more than 27,000 personnel took part in inspections in more than 14,000 locations.

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