In the post made from the Presidency’s NSosyal account, the following statements were included:

“Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey takes a strong stance advocating justice, equity and equal representation in the international system. Turkey, the Key to Peace, carries out a foreign policy that centers not only its own interests but also the common conscience of humanity. Turkey, which is the voice of the oppressed, produces solutions in crises and prioritizes peace, continues to work determinedly for a more just world.”

The post also included a video of President Erdogan’s previous statements about world peace and his bilateral meetings with leaders.

Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye takes a strong stance defending justice, equity and equal representation in the international system.

Türkiye, the Key to Peace, is a foreign country that focuses not only on its own interests but also on the common conscience of humanity… pic.twitter.com/c0Bb0dzBvL

— TR Directorate of Communications (@iletisim) April 17, 2026

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz attended the online meeting on the Strait of Hormuz hosted by France and England in Antalya, where he was on the occasion of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum 2026.

“MAINTAINING STABILITY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT”

Sharing a post about the meeting on his NSosyal account, Yılmaz stated that he attended the meeting on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a time when the increasing uncertainties in the region and the heavy human and economic costs of the conflict increased, and said:

“In this process, preserving the ceasefire, continuing the negotiation process that started in Islamabad without interruption, and re-establishing diplomacy are of vital importance for the establishment of permanent peace. Developments in the Strait of Hormuz pose multi-dimensional risks, from energy supply security to supply chains, from fertilizer markets to global food security. In this context, re-establishing maritime navigation security on the basis of international law is critical for maintaining regional stability.

We welcome the announcement by Iran during the meeting hours that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened to all ships until the end of the ceasefire period, as an important step towards reducing tensions. Avoiding similar crises, conflicts and developments that would disrupt maritime transportation in our region is only possible by strengthening dialogue, moderation and multilateral cooperation. “As Türkiye, we will continue to make all diplomatic efforts for a lasting peace.”

‘SYRIA WILL DRAW ITS FUTURE BASED ON ITS PAST’

Stating that Syria carries many opportunities and potential, Shara said, “Syria is a country that has historically been on the Silk Road route. Syria has gained competence in both medium and heavy industry. Syrians have been in many countries due to being forced to migrate. All of these have become potential and these people will return to their country. Syria is also an agricultural country. Syria may have temporarily lost its strategic position, but it is necessary to turn this potential into benefit in the new era. We have now turned it not only in rhetoric but also into action. Syria will resemble Syria. In terms of Syrian history, it is the most important country known to humanity.” “It hosts a great capital. It is the place where the culture of peaceful coexistence was first experienced. Syria was the meeting point of civilizations and cultures. As a result of many wrong policies, Syria will draw its future based on its past.”

During the meeting, regional and global issues as well as Türkiye and Russia relations were discussed.

During the meeting, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Kurtulmuş stated that they were pleased to host Russian Federation Council President Matviyenko in Türkiye for the 152nd General Assembly of the IPU and wished that their contacts and negotiations there would be beneficial.

Stating that the sincere and friendly relations between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin contributed to the formation of a strong cooperation between Turkey and Russia in every field and that they were pleased with this, Kurtulmuş noted that they wish to contribute to the relations between the governments with the joint work of the parliaments.

Kurtulmuş stated that they do not support unilateral sanctions against Russia and that these sanctions will have negative effects not only politically but also on the Russian people.

Stating that they attach importance to Russia’s stance on the two-state solution in Palestine, Kurtulmuş emphasized that international support should be increased to stop Israel, which is trying to expand in Palestinian lands and continues its aggression in the region.

Russian Federation Council President Matviyenko said that President Erdoğan received him yesterday and that they had a very productive meeting, and that bilateral relations are progressing very well with the meetings of the leaders of the two countries.

Stating that they wish to strengthen relations between parliaments and that joint steps in this direction will further increase Russia-Türkiye cooperation, Matviyenko emphasized that they also support an independent two-state solution on the Palestine issue.

Members of the IPU Turkish Group, AK Party Konya Deputy Selman Özboyacı, AK Party Edirne Deputy Fatma Aksal, CHP Bursa Deputy Nurhayat Altaca Kayışoğlu and DEM Party Diyarbakır Deputy Ceylan Akça Cupolo also took part in the meeting.

Breaking news… President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

Highlights from President Erdoğan’s statements:

On behalf of my nation, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who shared our sadness at the tragic incident in Kahramanmaraş.

Today, diplomacy is no longer just an area where problems and interests are negotiated. Diplomacy also represents a basis on which the common future of humanity will be discussed in the context of principles.

The genocide in Gaza has clearly shown us what the current order allows and who it protects.

Neither the system crisis nor the construction of a more just world can be achieved without closing the representation gap that we have brought to the agenda of humanity with the slogan “The world is bigger than 5”.

The shortest path to peace is constructive dialogue and diplomacy, and as our People’s Alliance partner Devlet Bahçeli puts it, peace is not a one-winged bird. It is of great importance for the parties to act with patience and common sense.

“HORUZ SHOULD BE KEPT OPEN TO COMMERCIAL SHIPS”

The main thing is to ensure freedom of navigation on the basis of established rules and to keep Hormuz open to commercial ships. One side of Hormuz is Iran and the other side is Oman. Gulf countries’ right to access the high seas should not be restricted.

Türkiye is ready to support all kinds of facilitating steps, including direct negotiations, including the Leaders’ Summit.

Striking details have emerged about the personal profile of İsa Aras Mersinli (14), an 8th grade student who carried out the school attack in Kahramanmaraş that resulted in the death of 9 people and the injury of 20 people. The statement of 1st Class Police Chief and Police Chief Inspector Uğur Mersinli, the arrested father of Mersinli, who committed the bloody action at Ayser Çalık Secondary School, where he was studying, with 5 guns belonging to his father, was reached. Here are the striking details from the father’s statement:

I TAKEN ME TO A PSYCHOLOGIST: My son spoke English like his native language, he was a very smart child. My son had typical teenage and exam problems and stress. I took my son to the psychologist friends at the police station, they said there was no negative situation. I have been taking him to a private psychologist near our home for about 2 months. The psychologist in question said that my son may have problems with his adaptation to society, that he should be followed carefully, and that psychiatric treatment may be required in the future.

HE PLAYED A WAR GAME: Since my son was using his computer and mobile phone in English mode, I could not follow what he was doing because I did not know English. Although I didn’t know his name, I often saw him playing war games. When I asked him what he was doing, he would not give me a healthy answer and just ignore me.

HE WANTED ME TO SHOOT: He had no interest in guns. However, about a month ago, he said that his friends were shooting with a gun and asked me when I would have him shoot. I came home from work and left the gun on the dresser in the bedroom for a short time. I saw my son trying to grab the gun and I got angry at him. My son told me that in America everyone can buy a gun. I told him who can buy and carry weapons in our country. My son said that his friends were shooting with a gun and he wanted me to shoot him with a gun.

I TAKEN ME TO THE RANGE: I took my son to the police range last Monday, 2 days before the attack. I shot with a gun myself. I also had my son shoot a few shots. I showed my son the target in front of him and told him that the gun would not be used randomly, the shooting would be targeted. I took some photos and videos while my son was shooting. My purpose in this was to keep it as a memory and to dull his enthusiasm. I then sent the photos to my son via WhatsApp. According to what I learned from the police, my son showed these photos to his friends, and they were amazed.

HE WAS NOT SHOWING US: Since my child was always busy on the computer and mobile phone, I was curious and wanted to check, but my son did not give me his passwords. I wanted to check it, thinking it might be affected by harmful content. While my son was playing games, he would speak English, but I could not understand what he was saying. He played interactive (conversational, online) games. When we entered the room, he would close everything and not want to show us anything. For this reason, we have not detected any negative situation so far.

HE BECAME AGGRESSIVE WHEN HE RECEIVED LOW GRADES: My son’s mood was constantly changing. He would display aggressive behavior when he got low grades in exams. However, I did not notice any negative behavior towards teachers or students. From time to time, I would ask him if he was bullied at school, but he would say “no.” His circle of friends was quite limited.

HE TRIED TO DROWN HIMSELF IN CLASS
It was revealed that İsa Aras Mersinli attempted to harm himself several times at school, choking himself with the rope of his school uniform and stuffing paper into his mouth, leaving him breathless. It was noted that the parents complained because the children were afraid.

Police Chief Inspector Uğur Mersinli, the father of the attacker, was arrested by the criminal judgeship of peace on duty and sent to prison.

ACTION PLAN ON THE COMPUTER
Striking details were found in the examination of the attacker Mersinli’s computer and mobile phone. It was determined that a document dated April 11, 2026 on his computer contained information that he would carry out a major action. Meanwhile, it is evaluated that there is no terrorist connection regarding the attack and the action was carried out individually.

SERIAL KILLER FAN
It was revealed that İSA Aras Mersinli posted a photo of serial killer Elliot Rodger, who killed 6 people in Isla Vista, California, in 2024, on his WhatsApp profile. On the other hand, it was learned that the images of the school attack in the USA were found on the phone of Ömer Ket (19), who carried out the school raid in Şanlıurfa Siverek, in which 16 people were injured.

BANNED GAMES ARE FOUND FROM HIS COMPUTER
It was determined that the attacker İsa Aras Mersinli was addicted to games, according to the data obtained from his computer and mobile phone. It was determined that Mersinli was playing violent PUBG games and the game called ‘Kill Teacher’, which means ‘kill the teacher’, on his computer, where he was given tasks such as pranking, harming or taking revenge on the teacher. It was also determined that he was playing the violent game Roblox, which was banned in 2024. Neighbors of the family said that Mersinli was addicted to gaming and exhibited problematic behavior.

Strict pursuit of those who target schools: 127 suspects detained
Within the scope of the investigation launched after the school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş provinces, both digital and field operations were accelerated. The General Directorate of Security reported that 127 people who made misleading posts about the school attacks and made threats and calls for action were detained, and access to 1115 internet addresses considered to be linked to the attacks was blocked. It was reported that among those detained were those who made schools open targets and targeted 54 different schools by sharing posts containing attack threats. Monitoring continues for posts that are provocative and aim to mislead the public and disrupt the peace.

Ceyhan TORLAK – Mehmet BONCUK – Ali ALTUNTAŞ- Murat KARAMAN – Umay Sena SÜMER – Sena UYANER – Muharrem DOĞANTEZ- Hüseyin KAÇAR / SABAH