Politics
Türkiye urges US, Iran negotiation as Fidan warns against escalation
Türkiye hopes the U.S. and Iran will engage in “genuine negotiations” and avoid the need for military action, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday, emphasizing Ankara’s preference for diplomacy over the risk of war.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) and TRT in Washington, Fidan said, “Our wish is that there will be no need for a military operation or war, and that the parties genuinely reach a negotiation here.”
“As you know, this is an issue we follow closely. The process that started in Istanbul has led Americans and Iranians to begin speaking again. This is an extraordinarily important development,” Fidan said.
Following diplomatic efforts launched in Istanbul, the two sides met twice, once in Oman’s capital Muscat and once in Geneva, Switzerland, he noted.
Fidan added that he also met with one of the parties in Washington to assess the direction of the talks.
“Essentially, there are many reasons to be hopeful,” he said. “We hope they reach a result, especially on the nuclear file.”
He noted that his recent discussions involving Oman as a mediator, along with his direct contacts with American and Iranian officials, have been more constructive than in the past.
“My impression from the current talks, speaking with the Omani mediator, with the United States, and with Iran, is that the parties are giving unprecedentedly positive signals, particularly in advancing certain concrete issues,” he added.
At the same time, he cautioned that rising military activity by the US in the region is being “closely” monitored.
“We observe that military mobility has also increased,” Fidan said.
“Of course, we are closely monitoring whether this military activity is intended to put pressure on the ongoing negotiations or whether it is preparation for a pre-planned military operation.”
Despite encouraging diplomatic signals, Fidan stressed that the process remains at a delicate stage.
“How this becomes practically implementable, when it will happen, how the parties perceive it, and how that perception guides their next steps, we are at a critical threshold right now,” he said. “It needs to be followed carefully.”
Trump said Thursday that it would soon become clear whether a deal with Iran is possible, warning that Washington may be forced to escalate if negotiations fall short.
His remarks came right after attending the inaugural Board of Peace meeting, which was presided over by US President Donald Trump, bringing together representatives from more than 45 countries to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction and broader international stabilization efforts.
Highlighting Ankara’s willingness to support post-war reconstruction in Gaza, Fidan also noted that Türkiye can contribute not only to security but also to civilian sectors. “We can make meaningful contributions to rebuilding the health and education sectors and to training a police force,” he said. “In addition, we are ready to provide troops to the International Stabilization Force.”
Reaffirming Türkiye’s long-standing position on the political solution, Fidan added: “Mr. President, Türkiye will continue to support your efforts for a just and lasting peace. We firmly believe that the foundation of such peace lies in a two-state solution. Let us work toward this goal for the benefit of all peoples in the region.”
The board is intended to supervise Gaza during a transitional period following a U.S.-brokered cease-fire that ended Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed over 71,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023.
Turkish authorities detained 70 suspects in coordinated raids targeting the alleged current network of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) across four provinces, with 54 of them formally arrested, officials said.
The operation, carried out on Feb. 17 under the coordination of the Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, followed eight months of technical and physical surveillance and wiretapping, according to security sources. The National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and Kayseri Provincial Police Department conducted the joint operation simultaneously in Kayseri, Istanbul, Adana and Mersin.
A total of 144 teams and 676 personnel, including special operations units, took part in the raids at identified addresses. After completing procedures at the police department, the suspects were referred to court. Fifty-four were arrested pending trial, while 16 were released under judicial control measures.
Authorities said items seized during the operation included a concealed audio recording and camera device, three unlicensed shotguns, a blank-firing pistol, 50 rounds of ammunition, organizational documents and digital materials.
Separately, police this week also detained several individuals in Samsun, Muğla and Hatay provinces who had been convicted of FETÖ membership and were sought to serve prison sentences.
In the Bafra district of Samsun province, police arrested a 50-year-old identified as O.B., who had a finalized prison sentence of eight years and nine months for “establishing or leading an armed terrorist organization.” He was transferred to a correctional facility after legal procedures were completed.
In the Fethiye district of Muğla province, authorities detained E.E., who had been sentenced to six years, 10 months and 15 days for membership in an armed terrorist organization. He was also sent to prison.
In Hatay province, police captured two fugitives, identified as B.T. and S.K., who had received prison sentences of four years and two months, and two years and one month, for membership of the FETÖ terrorist group. Both were transferred to prison following processing.
The terrorist group orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in Türkiye, in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 were wounded. Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
Türkiye has targeted its active members and sleeper cells nonstop, and its influence has been much reduced since 2016.
The terrorist group faces operations almost daily as investigators still try to unravel their massive network of infiltrators everywhere. In 2024 alone, police apprehended hundreds of FETÖ suspects across the country, including fugitives on western borders trying to flee to Europe.
Islamophobia under the guise of secularism, which haunted Türkiye in the 1990s, is at work again. A far-left party’s recent campaign against “Shariah,” especially amid protests in neighboring Iran, a “declaration for secularism,” and opposition to Ramadan celebrations at schools suggest a pattern.
Since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the abolition of the caliphate, Türkiye has prided itself as a secular state, separating religion from state affairs, but the concept has been muddled and exploited by anti-Muslim circles to disenfranchise Muslims from the political scene. Invariably, the incumbent Justice and Development Party (AK Party) governments, which rose to the occasion to represent disenfranchised Muslims along with other disadvantaged communities, are being accused of pushing an “Islamist” agenda.
The accusations of “Islamism” crept into the spotlight again when the Ministry of National Education instructed schools to hold events themed with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) joined fringe groups to denounce the instructions, claiming they contradicted secularism. The party’s shadow education minister claimed the ministry sought to discriminate against students and polarize society.
Education Minister Yusuf Tekin responded to the CHP’s allegations in an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA) earlier this week. “We only want children to develop a national conscience, adopt a spirit of solidarity and togetherness,” he said about the purpose of Ramadan events at schools. Tekin, a former lecturer on the Constitution, said holding Ramadan-themed events was not against the Constitution and that they were entirely on a voluntary basis. He pointed out that the CHP and others were curiously quiet when some schools hosted Christmas trees.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was also irate over the matter. As he addressed a governors’ meeting on Wednesday, Erdoğan hailed Ramadan events at schools and hit out at critics. “We won’t listen to delusions of this unruly mob who cannot tolerate people practicing what their faith orders freely,” he said, adding that every citizen had freedom of faith and nobody’s freedom was restricted in the past 23 years of AK Party governments during which secularism was not on the agenda of anybody, insisting that they never interfered with others’ lifestyles.
At least 168 academics, writers, journalists and celebrities, mostly those aligned with far-left groups and the CHP, penned a public declaration earlier this week for “collective defense of secularism.” They have claimed that “Shariah” was imposed on people in Türkiye, which was forced into what they called “Talibanization.” Erdoğan said on Wednesday that the declaration simply aimed to overshadow the joy of Ramadan for 86 million people and polarize the public.
Turkish media outlets reported recently that the government seeks to introduce a string of legal regulations to curb what authorities call the influence of “LGBT deviants” on the youth.
Among those regulations are a three-year prison term for those involved in pro-LGBT propaganda, something that was previously proposed to Parliament by the Justice Ministry. The ministry now works on expanding its work on regulations for the preservation of the institution of the family and moral values.
The ministry will also propose a prison term of up to four years for people seeking same-sex wedding ceremonies. Same-sex marriages are already not recognized under Turkish law.
Another proposal is increasing the age of gender reassignment surgeries from 18 to 25. The surgery will also require court approval, and those involved in unauthorized surgeries will face jail terms and fines. Prison terms and fines will be higher if surgeries are for minors or undertaken by an unauthorized person. Those seeking sex change surgery outside the terms laid out in laws will face prison terms of up to three years. Gender reassignment surgeries will also require people to receive a health report from hospitals to demonstrate they are eligible for the surgeries. They will require four separate examinations by medical boards, with an interval of at least three months, to obtain the report.
The government, which seeks to boost its population amid an imminent crisis of aging, has been more vocal against what it calls pro-LGBT propaganda, especially disseminated by social media and streaming platforms. The issue was even more in the spotlight in 2025, which was declared as the “Year of the Family” by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) held a family summit earlier this week where the party’s members underlined the threat of “degenderizing projects.” Speaking at the summit, Cüneyt Yüksel, an AK Party lawmaker who also serves as chair of Parliament’s Justice Committee, said, “Projects that attempt to force LGBT propaganda are dynamites that will blow up the future of the Turkish nation.”
“We have to have legal reinforcement for protection against online anti-family disinformation campaigns and harmful trends targeting our children,” he told the summit.
At the same summit held in Ankara, AK Party Vice Chair Belgin Uygur said the party will protect the institution of the family “against deviant movements” through a new civilian, participatory constitution in the coming period.
“Our goal, our work and our efforts are in this direction,” Uygur said. “We will place this issue at the center of our politics and policies.”
Deputy Minister of Family and Social Services Sevim Sayım Madak said at a session she attended that there are psychological reasons behind gender transition decisions. “Nearly 800 gender transitions took place last year. Most were from female to male. But by the age of 25, there is regret,” Madak said.
AK Party Bursa lawmaker Osman Mesten said the traditional family model is undergoing change.
“Instead of having children, people are getting cats and dogs. They dress them in children’s clothes, take them out in strollers and buy them toys. Cats and dogs are being put in place of children,” he said.
“Families no longer eat together at home, meals are not cooked, and food is ordered from outside.”
Mesten also argued that “NGOs that appear to be human rights foundations but openly engage in LGBT propaganda” should be shut down. “Institutions operating under the name of animal rights or women’s rights should also have their sources of support identified,” he said.
“Television broadcasts should go through prior review. Content that does not receive approval should not be aired. Fines imposed after broadcast have no effect.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday that Türkiye acts wherever needed beyond its borders to protect its security, eliminating threats at their origin without seeking permission from others.
Speaking at an iftar program with families of martyrs at Çankaya Mansion in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan said that significant progress has been made in efforts toward a “terror-free Türkiye.”
“There has been a serious decrease in security risks directed at our country, both within and beyond our borders,” he said.
Referring to terrorism, Erdoğan said: “We are determined to rid Türkiye forever of this scourge that has burned the hearts of our nation for nearly half a century.”
He noted that thanks to operations by the armed forces and other security units, “we have significantly restricted the mobility of terrorist groups.”
“Today, we can meet almost all our needs ourselves in nearly every field, including UAVs, armed UAVs, missiles, rockets, ships, helicopters and tanks,” he said.
He further added that an agreement was reached last month to resolve the issue in northern Syria without bloodshed, adding that “the process leading to full integration has begun.”
Erdoğan said the government’s commission overseeing counterterrorism efforts has been working since Aug. 5 and completed its findings on Wednesday.
He also pointed to “positive developments” in neighboring Syria, highlighting last month’s agreement aimed at resolving the situation in northern Syria without further bloodshed.
“We reached an understanding last month on solving the problem in northern Syria without bloodshed,” he said. “God willing, we will bring these efforts to their destination safely.”
Erdoğan emphasized that security risks targeting Türkiye have “seriously decreased” thanks to operations conducted both at home and across the border.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is committed to ensuring the stability of Gaza, while noting that Türkiye is prepared to provide troops for an international stabilization force and could offer significant support in rebuilding the enclave’s health and education sectors, as well as training a new police force.
“President Erdoğan remains fully committed to Gaza’s security stabilization and recovery. Türkiye has already been providing an immense amount of humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” he said. Fidan was speaking at the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace in Washington on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Speaking at the session, he said that despite the recently established cease-fire, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis remains severe and requires rapid, coordinated international action.
“We can also contribute meaningfully to the rehabilitation of health and education sectors, as well as the training of the police force. In addition, we are prepared to provide troops to the International Stabilization Force.”
“Türkiye will continue to support your (Trump’s) efforts toward a just and lasting peace. We remain convinced that the foundation of such peace is a two-state solution. Let us work towards that objective for the benefit of all peoples of the region,” he added.
Highlighting Ankara’s willingness to support post-war reconstruction, Fidan said Türkiye can contribute not only to security but also to civilian sectors. “We can make meaningful contributions to rebuilding the health and education sectors and to training a police force,” he said. “In addition, we are ready to provide troops to the International Stabilization Force.”
Reaffirming Türkiye’s long-standing position on the political solution, Fidan added: “Mr. President, Türkiye will continue to support your efforts for a just and lasting peace. We firmly believe that the foundation of such peace lies in a two-state solution. Let us work toward this goal for the benefit of all peoples in the region.”
The board is intended to supervise Gaza during a transitional period following a U.S.-brokered cease-fire that ended Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza, which killed over 71,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, 2023.
Under the plan, the board will coordinate international involvement in stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Gaza under U.N. authorization.
Israel and Palestinian group Hamas signed off on Trump’s plan, which says a Palestinian technocratic body will be overseen by the international board, which will supervise Gaza’s governance for a transitional period.
Türkiye views the initiative as part of broader international efforts to bring lasting peace and stability Gaza and the region, Duran said.
Trump has also named Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in an 11-member “Gaza Executive Board” alongside the U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Sigrid Kaag, the United Arab Emirates minister for international cooperation, Reem Al-Hashimy, and Israeli-Cypriot billionaire Yakir Gabay, as well as some members of the executive board.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Thursday that Türkiye is ready to provide assistance in training Gaza’s new police force as part of efforts to revive the enclave’s local administration, stressing that restoring core governance and security structures is essential for stabilizing Gaza and providing vital services to Palestinians.
Speaking to reporters in Washington after attending the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Fidan said the priority in the second phase of the Gaza peace plan is to re-establish functional local governance capable of providing health, education, policing and essential services to the enclave’s population.
Fidan said the creation and training of a new police force for Gaza is underway to ensure local security and public order.
“This is essential for any functioning administration,” he said. Fidan reiterated that Türkiye is ready to contribute to security arrangements if requested.
The newly appointed U.S. high representative for Gaza said Thursday that recruitment has begun for a transitional police force intended to assume security responsibilities from Hamas, with more than 2,000 applicants submitting forms within hours.
“Gaza needs a local administration that can stand on its feet and deliver services to 2 million people,” Fidan said, emphasizing that reconstruction and stabilization cannot succeed without rebuilding administrative capacity. He noted that the meeting served as a platform for member states to declare their contributions and coordinate efforts.
Fidan underscored that Türkiye has been providing uninterrupted humanitarian assistance since the first day of Israel’s genocidal attacks – through both state institutions and civil society – and will continue doing so. He said Ankara is in talks to increase the flow of supplies through the Rafah crossing, including container-based aid shipments to replace tents, and is working on expanding medical support ranging from field treatment to transferring wounded Palestinians to Türkiye.
Fidan also highlighted the broader diplomatic context, noting resumed contact between the United States and Iran. The process that began in Istanbul has brought Americans and Iranians back into dialogue, he said. He noted that there was reason for hope, amid fears of increased military activitiy. “Our wish is that a negotiated path is reached without the need for war,” he added.
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