Politics
Türkiye believes Pakistan will resolve US-Iran issue
Speaking at a joint news conference with Austrian Minister for European and International Affairs Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Vienna on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said they were mobilizing all resources to resume negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to end the war. He said the main goal now was to fully open the Strait of Hormuz and prevent a return to an all-out conflict. He pledged commitment to talks mediated by Pakistan. “There are still some detailed issues that should be resolved, but I have confidence in the skills of our brothers in Pakistan (in mediation),” he said.
He said not all issues can be resolved within an expected timetable of two weeks, and an extended time frame might be needed. “But I see that the sides have will to that extent. As a matter of fact, pressure from the international community necessitates this will. I believe the next few days will be critical for advances (in the process),” he said.
The first round of talks between the U.S. and Iran was held in Islamabad two weeks ago but failed to produce an agreement to end the conflict that began on Feb. 28 and spread across the Middle East. The talks followed a two-week cease-fire brokered by Pakistan on April 8, which was later extended by Trump.
Türkiye could consider taking part in multinational demining operations in the Strait of Hormuz after a possible peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, Fidan said late Friday. Speaking to reporters in London, Fidan said Türkiye “would be open to” participating in a coalition tasked with clearing naval mines in the strait once a deal is reached, describing such work as a “humanitarian” effort. However, Fidan underscored that Ankara would not take part in operations that risk positioning Türkiye as a party to renewed conflict. Ankara would avoid any role implying alignment if conflict resumes, Fidan said.
At the press conference in Vienna, Fidan also touched upon relations with the European Union. “They should always remain good,” he said while lamenting that Europe had no political will to that extent. Türkiye improved ties with the European Union in the past two decades, harboring hopes of full membership in the bloc. Yet, the bloc dragged its feet for admission. Recently, remarks of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signalled that room for improvement in ties may still be distant for Ankara. Von der Leyen had warned against “Turkish influence” on the continent.
Pervin Hayrullah, a prominent activist from Greece’s Western Thrace Turkish community, explained to the Sabah newspaper how the community suffers in the hands of the state of Greece amid a far-reaching assimilation policy.
Greece’s Western Thrace region is home to around 150,000 Muslim Turks. The community often complains about double standards, although they have played a historic part in Greek society.
Hayrullah told the Sabah newspaper on Wednesday that the community does not have a separatist ambition and merely aimed to safeguard its religion, language and identity. She said Türkiye always stood with them.
She noted that their identity was partially recognized until the 1990s, when they were allowed to use “Turkish” in certain fields, but starting in 1991, the governments pursued so-called reforms towards the minority.
“They classified the identity of the minority, assigning it multiple ethnic identities as Turks, Pomaks and (Roma). They took it further and started identifying the Muslim minority as ‘Alevis and Sunnis.’ We are, whereas, a Turkish minority, a united community,” she said.
Hayrullah pointed out that minority schools also faced closure. “Records show there were 306 schools of the minority in 1923. In the eight decades following this year, some 100 schools were closed. In the past 15 years alone, 104 schools were shut down. This goes against the Lausanne Treaty, which prevents the state from shutting down schools even if they do not have students,” she told the Sabah newspaper.
Another challenge for the minority is the election of muftis or Muslim clerics. Hayrullah noted that a 1913 treaty granted them the right to elect their own mufti, and in 1990s, the state started appointing its own muftis. She added that their rights to elect muftis were repeatedly violated while the state filed lawsuits against their muftis, claiming they “hijacked” their posts.
She noted that a 2007 law also dealt another blow to the minority’s religious rights as it stipulated the assignment of imams to the minority’s mosques. “They also do not allow renovation work at the mosques, and they even intervene in the size of minarets. In some cases, they order the removal of crescents and stars on minarets,” she lamented.
Türkiye denounced Thursday the Israeli attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters and the arrest of at least 20 Turkish nationals.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Spanish counterpart, Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, since the flotilla originated there.
Fidan underlined that Israel’s illegal intervention in the flotilla off the coast of Greece’s Crete, in international waters, risked the lives of civilians of various nationalities and violated international law, Foreign Ministry sources said.
The minister also called for a joint stand by the international community against “illegal intervention.”
The Turkish Foreign Ministry was quick to condemn Israeli action, calling the illegal intervention “an act of piracy,” saying it is taking “all necessary steps” regarding its citizens and other passengers on board.
“By attacking the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe faced by the oppressed people of Gaza, Israel has targeted humanitarian values and international law,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Israel’s actions also violated the principle of freedom of navigation in international waters, adding: “We call on the international community to take a united stance against this lawless act by Israel.”
“All necessary steps are being taken in coordination with relevant countries regarding the situation of our citizens and other passengers on board the fleet,” it added.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş strongly condemned the interception of the Gaza-bound flotilla, describing it as an unacceptable act of “piracy” in international waters.
“This barbaric act by Zionist Israeli terrorist forces targeting law, humanity and conscience cannot be justified under any circumstances. This attack also constitutes a clear war crime against humanity,” Kurtulmuş said X social media.
He said those “standing for human dignity” must raise their voices against such actions and openly support the people of Gaza, urging the international community not to “fail this test.”
Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said the Israeli intervention in international waters constituted “a clear violation of law and an unacceptable attack.”
Crime against humanity Duran said on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal that targeting a civilian-led humanitarian initiative represented a threat not only to aid efforts but also to “the shared values of humanity.”
“Israel has demonstrated through this intervention that it is engaging in piracy in international waters,” he said, calling on the international community not to remain silent and to take a firm stance in defense of law, justice, and freedom of navigation.
Separately, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Omer Çelik said on NSosyal that efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza represent “a noble act on behalf of humanity.”
Describing the Israeli intervention as “barbarity” targeting a global “alliance of humanity,” Çelik condemned the action and said it amounted to “another crime against humanity.”
He urged the international community to deliver a united response, adding that the condition of Turkish nationals and other passengers on board is being closely followed.
Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving about 1.5 million Palestinians out of roughly 2.4 million homeless after their homes were destroyed during the war.
Turkish police detained two suspects, including the daughter-in-law of suspended Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek, as part of a widening corruption investigation into Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), authorities announced Thursday.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued detention warrants for three suspects, including Zuhal Böcek, as part of an investigation into alleged organized crime, bribery, extortion, aggravated fraud, bid-rigging and the unlawful acquisition of personal data.
Police detained Böcek and one other suspect, while efforts continued to capture a third suspect, officials said.
The investigation is one of several targeting municipal structures and people linked to the suspended Antalya mayor. Muhittin Böcek’s chief adviser, two Antalya Metropolitan Municipality employees and two drivers had previously been arrested as part of the same Istanbul-based probe.
Separately, prosecutors in Antalya issued detention warrants for 34 suspects in an investigation targeting a municipal affiliate. Authorities said Muhittin Böcek, who is already jailed and suspended from office, was among the suspects named in that case.
Police operations to apprehend the suspects were ongoing, officials said.
Previously, Muhittin Böcek of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) was arrested in July on allegations of accepting a TL 195 million ($4.32 million) bribe with his son, reportedly laundered through jewelry stores and currency exchanges. The Interior Ministry later suspended him from duty.
The investigation expanded over the following months through a series of coordinated police operations targeting suspects connected to the municipality, including businesspeople and municipal officials.
The main opposition CHP is under mounting scrutiny as a wave of corruption, bribery and terrorism-related investigations sweeps across its municipalities.
The Israeli military detained at least 20 Turkish nationals Wednesday when it intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Greece, a Turkish delegation aboard the flotilla confirmed.
Israeli forces surrounded the boats more than 600 nautical miles from the Gaza Strip, just off the coast of the island of Crete, detaining over 200 activists on board, the delegation told Turkish Anadolu Agency (AA).
The detained Turkish nationals and the name of the boats they were on are as follows: Mustafa Enes Topal (Saf Saf), Muhammed Özdem (Saf Saf), Ali Deniz (Esplai), Yunus Kava (Esplai), Şahin Yaslık (Saf Saf), Mustafa Arslan (Saf Saf), Abdulselam Demir (Freia), Nevzat Öylek (Esplai), Nevzat Güzel (Freia), Halil Erdoğmuş (Esplai), Abdüllatif Faslı (Freia), Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu (Saf Saf), Mahmut Akay (Saf Saf), Görkem Duru (Ghea), Mehmet Atlı (Ghea), Mükremin Köse (Freia), Ramazan Tekdemir (Freia), Mahmut Çağatay Yavuz (Eros 1), Hüseyin Oral (Saf Saf), and Ömer Osman Taştan (Freia).
The Israeli navy intercepted vessels from the flotilla late Wednesday as they headed toward Gaza to break a longstanding blockade on the enclave.
The group said Israeli forces surrounded the convoy in international waters near the Greek island of Crete, jammed communications and seized 21 vessels, adding that 17 vessels managed to escape and enter Greek waters following the incident.
The flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza, aims to break Israel’s blockade and open a humanitarian corridor by sea.
The move came hours after Hebrew media reported that Israel was preparing to intercept the flotilla, which includes around 100 boats in total carrying nearly 1,000 activists from several countries.
Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving about 1.5 million Palestinians out of roughly 2.4 million homeless after their homes were destroyed during the war.
Former German President Christian Wulff said the world needs Türkiye more than Türkiye needs the world, highlighting Ankara’s rising strategic importance amid shifting global dynamics.
Speaking at the German-Turkish Business Council executive board meeting at the Rahmi M. Koç Museum in Istanbul, Wulff said Germany remains Türkiye’s most important trading partner while stressing that significant cooperation potential remains untapped.
He said the aim of the meeting was to clearly define areas of cooperation and make better use of existing economic opportunities.
Wulff said he sees a self-confident Türkiye and emphasized that mutual trust remains a key pillar in bilateral relations.
“The world needs Türkiye more than Türkiye needs the world,” he said, adding that Germany continues to have a positive image in Türkiye, creating favorable conditions to expand cooperation.
Referring to changes in global supply chains, Wulff said routes are increasingly shifting away from the Strait of Hormuz toward Mediterranean ports, leading to congestion and boosting Türkiye’s geopolitical and strategic importance.
He added that relatively lower labor costs and geographic advantages make Türkiye an attractive partner for Germany, which is seeking to benefit from these conditions.
Wulff also said Germany is facing its own set of domestic and global challenges.
Highlighting the scale of ongoing global crises and conflicts, he described the current period as both a challenge and an opportunity, arguing that Türkiye is positioned to play a larger role internationally.
Military personnel from Libya’s eastern and western forces are taking part in the EFES-2026 Combined Joint Exercise in Türkiye for the first time under the same drill, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
The ministry said 331 personnel from eastern Libya and 177 from western Libya are participating in the exercise, describing their joint presence as a significant development for efforts toward a “One and Unified Libya.”
EFES-2026, coordinated by Türkiye’s Aegean Army Command, is designed to demonstrate the Turkish Armed Forces’ planning, coordination and joint operation capabilities while strengthening military cooperation with friendly and allied countries, the ministry noted.
The computer-assisted command post phase of the exercise was held from April 11 to 17, with distinguished observer day activities taking place in Istanbul and Izmir. The live phase of the drill is scheduled to run from April 20 to May 21 in Izmir.
The ministry said the exercise reflects Türkiye’s regional security vision and its capacity for international military cooperation. It added that EFES-2026 also highlights the Turkish military’s operational readiness, ability to adapt to modern warfare and use of advanced technology.
Libya’s broad participation was one of the key elements of this year’s exercise, the ministry said, citing the country’s deep historical ties with Türkiye and growing strategic cooperation.
According to the statement, the Libyan naval attack boat LNS Shafak is also taking part in the drill. The ministry said the vessel’s participation was a concrete sign of the willingness of Libya’s eastern and western sides to act together in the field.
The ministry described the development as a step that goes beyond military cooperation, saying it could contribute to strengthening unity, institutional coordination and stability in Libya.
EFES-2026 also demonstrates Türkiye’s ability to act with partners, develop joint responses to crises and contribute to international security, the ministry said.
BREAKING NEWS… The crisis in CHP is growing after the boat scandal! Özgür Özel and Veli Ağbaba were harsh on Ali Mahir Başkar
Activist decries assimilation attempt on Greece’s Turkish community
BREAKING NEWS | Opinion in the İmamoğlu profit-oriented criminal organization case: Request for release for 9 defendants, including Adem Soytekin
BREAKING NEWS… The crisis in CHP is growing after the boat scandal! Özgür Özel and Veli Ağbaba were harsh on Ali Mahir Başkar
Activist decries assimilation attempt on Greece’s Turkish community
BREAKING NEWS | Opinion in the İmamoğlu profit-oriented criminal organization case: Request for release for 9 defendants, including Adem Soytekin
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoMinister of Family and Social Services Göktaş: At this point, the real danger is in our rooms at home.
-
Economy1 day agoUniCredit’s Commerzbank takeover process ‘unstoppable’: CEO
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoBREAKING NEWS… President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan convenes the AK Party MYK: School security and digital danger are on the agenda!
-
Daily Agenda2 days agoRain of criticism from AK Party member Bursa to Mayor Tugay: Izmir expects management from you, not guidance
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoDisrespecting the national will became history that night
-
Daily Agenda3 days agoOur target is 3 million jobs in 3 years
-
Daily Agenda20 hours agoMessage from Minister Bolat about cooperation with the Netherlands: “Our target is 15 billion dollars”
-
Economy2 days ago2 months into Iran war, economic toll mounts