Politics
Turkish lawmakers seek to build on positive agenda with US
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament, led by ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lawmaker Fuat Oktay, embarked on a U.S. trip this week. Oktay spoke to journalists in Washington, D.C. after a meeting with the Turkish community at the embassy on Wednesday. He explained how, as lawmakers, they strived to enhance ties with the U.S. with a “positive agenda.”
Turkish-U.S. relations were somewhat strained under the Biden administration, but the election of Donald Trump appears to be adding momentum to the ties, especially toward a resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries, including sanctions.
Oktay said their visit primarily focused on moving the developing positive agenda between the two countries on the presidential or governmental level to the Congress. “The U.S. Congress, on a bipartisan aspect, is slower to catch up with these developments. This is an election year for the House of Representatives and the Senate, and they will concentrate more on domestic politics. Before this happens, we came here to build upon the positive agenda at the Congress as well. We will hold talks with our counterparts at the Senate and House of Representatives, where we will voice Türkiye’s views on relations. But beyond that, we are trying to establish a healthy communication channel. Rather than relying on lobbies for communication, we want a more structural relationship between the governments,” he said.
He stated that the sanctions would also be discussed, noting that Congress had a major role in lifting sanctions. “Lifting of the sanctions will reflect well on Turkish-U.S. relations and will have a good impact on developing a comprehensive cooperation in multiple fields, from the economy to the defense industry. We aim to take our relations to the next level,” he said, adding that this would also contribute to the regional peace.
Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson on Wednesday highlighted Ankara’s support for cease-fire and peace in the in the U.S.-Israel-Iran war as he slammed “unjust attacks.”
“We see a systematic action where civilian infrastructure is also targeted and this constitutes a crime. The right way forward now is ensuring cease-fire and setting up a negotiations table for peace,” Ömer Çelik told reporters after an executive committee meeting of the party chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.
He stressed that the outlook in the war was “truly horrible” and the region faced a tremendous chaos.
Ankara has so far maintained a neutral stance in the war and has joined efforts to find a diplomatic solution. It has also shot down four missiles fired from Iran since last month. Tehran has denied targeting Türkiye deliberately and warned of false flag operations.
As part of NATO efforts to bolster the country’s air defenses, an additional Patriot missile defense system is to be deployed in the southern province of Adana.
Çelik also warned against attempts to “turn away the attention from Gaza” where Israel has continued daily violations of the ceasefire agreement in force since Oct. 10, 2025, killing 709 Palestinians and injuring 1,928 others.
The cease-fire was meant to end a two-year Israeli offensive on Gaza, which left more than 72,000 dead and 172,000 wounded, and caused massive destruction to 90% of civilian infrastructure.
Çelik underlined Türkiye’s condemnation of Israel’s ban on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and “Zionist Israel’s attempt to copy what it did in Gaza in the West Bank and Lebanon.”
Israeli authorities also continue to bar Muslims from Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam, for the fourth consecutive week, keeping it closed since late February under emergency measures linked to the war with Iran.
Settler attacks in the West Bank have escalated in recent weeks, with eight Palestinians reportedly killed by occupier gunfire since late February, according to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission.
About 750,000 Israeli occupiers live in hundreds of settlements across the West Bank, including around 250,000 in East Jerusalem. Occupiers carry out frequent attacks on Palestinians that rights groups said aim to displace them forcibly.
Violent attacks have intensified across the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, encompassing killings, demolitions, displacement, and occupier expansion.
Israel has also been under fire since Knesset approved on Monday a controversial law imposing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners in a move widely condemned as “discriminatory” and “dehumanizing.”
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli addressed his party’s parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, focusing largely on the ongoing tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran and support for the Iranian people.
In his speech, Bahceli strongly criticized what he described as attacks against Iran, calling them immoral and urging support for the Iranian people. “In the face of this immoral aggression, it is time to stand for justice and law, and to stand with the people of Iran against Zionist oppression,” he said.
He emphasized Türkiye’s close historical and cultural ties with Iran, describing it as “not just a neighbor but a country of religious and linguistic kin.” Bahçeli called on the international community to stand against what he described as injustice and to support diplomatic efforts led by Türkiye.
Highlighting the risks of further escalation, Bahçeli warned that attacks on energy infrastructure, including oil facilities and transit routes, could trigger global economic disruptions. He pointed specifically to threats to key waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, saying increased military activity could deepen energy security risks and strain supply chains.
Bahçeli also described Israel’s actions in Gaza, as well as toward Iran and Lebanon, as “aggressive policies” that have turned the region “into a hell,” and argued that Israel poses a serious threat to international peace and stability. He also claimed that perceptions of U.S. Middle East policy being influenced by Israel have fueled growing backlash among Western and American publics.
Turning to Washington, Bahçeli urged U.S. President Donald Trump to take into account anti-war protests and restrain Israel, saying Trump had come to power promising to end wars but instead contributed to “destruction that will be difficult to repair.”
Moreover, he also criticized the international system as ineffective, saying global institutions, including the United Nations, have failed to prevent escalating violence. He warned that rising tensions, weakened diplomacy and even suggestions of nuclear confrontation signal a dangerous trajectory.
“The world must adopt a common stance against war,” Bahçeli said, calling for an immediate cease-fire and renewed diplomatic engagement.
“There will be no winners in this conflict, but innocent people everywhere will bear its consequences.”
The U.S. and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, targeting the country’s leadership, nuclear program and military infrastructure, triggering a rapidly escalating regional conflict marked by sustained airstrikes, retaliatory attacks and mounting civilian casualties.
TRNC as national priority
Bahçeli accused European countries of turning a blind eye to the “aggressive policies” of the Greek Cypriot administration, which he said has been strengthened through arms shipments. He stressed that Türkiye cannot ignore threats to its kin in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), describing the island as “not a routine foreign policy matter but a national cause and an indispensable sovereignty issue.”
Highlighting broader global risks, Bahçeli said the world is “on the brink of political, economic and humanitarian upheaval,” citing uncertainties in energy security, food supply, migration flows and trade routes. He argued that these crises are not accidental but rather the result of a new imperialist drive to control global resources and expand spheres of influence, with innocent populations paying the price.
Bahçeli added that, amid statements by some circles in Israel portraying Türkiye as a “new target,” it is historically and strategically necessary for Türkiye to remain strong, resilient and united internally. He warned that any attempts to weaken the country’s internal front through rhetoric, actions or provocations directly threaten national security.
“Türkiye cannot be governed through short-term political debates, cheap calculations or irresponsible statements,” Bahçeli said.
Bahçeli’s remarks came amid the rising tensions in the Middle East and growing military cooperation between the Greek Cypriot administration and its Western partners.
According to Greek Cypriot and Greek media reports, two Greek frigates have recently arrived in waters controlled by the Greek Cypriot administration.
European countries also pledged to send air defense systems and other military assets to the Greek Cypriot administration, while France deployed an aircraft carrier, a frigate and air defense units to the Mediterranean.
Terror-free Türkiye initiative
Bahçeli noted that the “National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission,” established within the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, has completed its work, producing a joint commission report and laying the groundwork for societal consensus. He said the next step is to swiftly enact laws that support the project’s objectives.
Bahçeli stressed that national unity and solidarity will be Türkiye’s most effective response to hostile attempts. He described the “terror-free Türkiye” initiative as a “guiding star” for the state and society, highlighting the need for all political actors and community segments to act carefully and avoid provocations.
Bahçeli warned that certain foreign capitals and intelligence networks are attempting to exploit societal divisions through voluntary or paid agents, but he underlined that Türkiye’s goal remains the creation of a more democratic, effective, stable, and prosperous nation.
“Our aim and effort is to disrupt external schemes and shape a future where our people lead the story, rejecting imperialist agendas,” he said. Bahçeli added that the terror-free Türkiye goal, seen as a historic opportunity for the country and region, will be realized through strong social support and political determination.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, based in Istanbul, incurred the wrath of Russia again. Russia on Tuesday accused the top cleric of attempting to assert control over the Georgian Orthodox Church (GOC) through appointing his candidate to the vacant post of the catholicos-patriarch of all Georgia.
The press bureau of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said in a statement that Bartholomew is taking advantage of the passing of Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of All Georgia.
“Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople continues to persistently pursue a treacherous course toward the schism of global Orthodoxy, guided by the principle of ‘divide and rule,'” the statement said, using the pre-Ottoman name for Istanbul. “The Phanariot wishes to promote a representative of the GOC to the vacated position whom he could rely on.”
The SVR claimed that Bartholomew is considering Metropolitan Abraham (Garmelia) of Western Europe and Metropolitan Gregory (Berbichashvili) of Poti and Khobi as candidates for this role.
“In his inner circle, he portrays them as the most suitable executors of his will,” it said.
According to the intelligence service, church circles note that “lust for power has become a constant companion of the Constantinopolitan schismatic.”
“Through his actions, Bartholomew is once again substituting ‘primacy of honor’ with ‘primacy of power,’ interfering in the internal affairs of yet another, let us note, one of the most ancient Orthodox churches, the Georgian Orthodox Church,” it said.
The SVR stressed that in Georgia, as in Ukraine, Serbia and the Baltic countries, Bartholomew must remember the second rule of the Second Ecumenical Council, which states that “regional bishops shall not extend their authority to churches beyond their own region.”
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Tehran said in a statement on Tuesday.
Araghchi warned of repeated false-flag operations aimed at undermining regional ties, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, a day after NATO intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran over Türkiye.
Türkiye is playing a mediating role, alongside other regional countries, between Washington and Tehran to help de-escalate tensions and end the war.
A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was successfully intercepted by NATO air and missile defense systems in the Eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry announced Monday, underscoring Ankara’s readiness to act decisively against any threat to its sovereignty. The ministry said the projectile was detected and neutralized before it could pose a risk, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated defense mechanisms in the region. It continued by emphasizing that all necessary measures are being implemented without hesitation to safeguard the country’s territory and airspace. The statement also stressed that developments across the region are being monitored closely, with national security remaining the top priority.
The interception comes amid heightened regional tensions, reinforcing Türkiye’s commitment to maintaining stability while protecting its borders through rapid and coordinated military responses.
Türkiye on Tuesday strongly condemned the controversial new Israeli law introducing the death penalty for Palestinians, calling it unlawful and a step that deepens systemic discrimination.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said the legislation adopted by the Knesset is designed to be applied exclusively to Palestinians and constitutes a continuation of policies targeting the Palestinian people.
The ministry said the measure is “null and void” under international law and criticized Israel for further entrenching practices that undermine Palestinian rights.
Ankara also urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, to take action in response to what it described as Israel’s unlawful steps.
Israel’s parliament approved the legislation Monday, establishing capital punishment as the standard sentence for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted of carrying out deadly attacks against Israelis.
According to the law, executions would be conducted by hanging, carried out by designated prison personnel from the Israeli Prison Service, who would be granted anonymity and legal protection.
Those sentenced would be held in specialized detention facilities, with visits restricted to authorized individuals. Access to legal counsel would also be limited, with meetings taking place only via video link.
The law permits courts to impose the death penalty without a formal request from prosecutors and allows verdicts to be reached by a simple majority rather than a unanimous decision.
It extends to military courts that prosecute Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and enables the defense minister to submit an opinion during proceedings.
The legislation further removes the right to appeal once a death sentence has been handed down.
Mustafa Bozbey, mayor of Türkiye’s fourth largest city, Bursa, for the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) was detained on Tuesday, along with 54 other suspects. Authorities said Bozbey and others face charges of running a criminal organization, bribery, money laundering and zoning violations. The Sabah newspaper reported that Bozbey’s wife, daughter and brothers were among other detainees.
The Chief Prosecutor’s Office in northwestern Türkiye said an investigation was underway against Bozbey and others on allegations that the mayor, during his tenure as mayor of Nilüfer, a district of Bursa, was involved in taking bribes in return for illegally changing zoning plans. The statement said Bozbey’s successor as Nilüfer mayor, Turgay Erdem, was also involved in the scheme. Erdem was arrested in a similar operation last year.
Prosecutors said Bozbey was the leader of a criminal ring, adding that four other suspects wanted in the same probe were at large.
The main opposition CHP is under mounting scrutiny as a wave of corruption, bribery and terrorism-related investigations sweeps across its municipalities.
Authorities say several major investigations are underway into municipalities controlled by the CHP, covering allegations from large-scale tender rigging and bribery to financing terrorist organizations.
The most extensive probe targets the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), led by ousted Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu, over claims of systematic corruption, fictitious tenders and abuse of public resources. Prosecutors allege a network, headed by senior municipal officials, rigged numerous public contracts. Imamoğlu and his aides deny all charges.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, values or position of Daily Sabah. The newspaper provides space for diverse perspectives as part of its commitment to open and informed public discussion.
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