Turkey steps up diplomacy to ease Iran-U.S. tensions

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ANKARA, TURKIYE — Turkey is intensifying diplomatic engagement with both Washington and Tehran to prevent rising tensions over Iran's nuclear program from escalating into a direct military conflict that could destabilize the entire region.

Following threats of military action from the Trump administration, Ankara is positioning itself as a mediator, warning that a military solution poses severe global risks and advocating for a return to direct dialogue between the opposing parties.

High-level diplomatic outreach

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has initiated high-level communication, holding phone calls with both Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and U.S. President Donald Trump. During his call with Pezeshkian on January 22, Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey does not support foreign intervention scenarios and prioritizes the peace and stability of its neighbor.

Reports from the Turkish press suggest that during his call with President Trump on January 27, Erdoğan offered to mediate a trilateral meeting involving Turkey, the U.S., and Iran. The proposal reportedly included the option of conducting these discussions via teleconference to break the current diplomatic deadlock.

Fidan's meeting with Abbas Araghchi

A pivotal moment in this diplomatic push is the scheduled visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to Istanbul on January 30 for talks with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. This visit follows several telephone consultations between the two ministers throughout January aimed at de-escalating the situation.

One day prior to Araghchi’s arrival, Minister Fidan met with the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and Syria Special Representative, Tom Barrack. While official details were not released, observers in Ankara indicate the meeting focused heavily on regional security and the ongoing U.S.-Iran friction. Sources suggest Fidan will deliver four key messages to his Iranian counterpart:

• Turkey is closely monitoring internal developments in Iran.

• Ankara remains strictly opposed to military intervention due to regional risks.

  
  

• Turkey is ready to contribute to a solution through dialogue.

• Ankara supports a peaceful resolution to the nuclear program and is ready to assist if needed.

Avoiding a new regional conflict

Foreign Minister Fidan has publicly stated that not only Turkey but all regional countries are opposed to a new war. He noted that the Middle East is still attempting to heal wounds from conflicts in Syria and Iraq, making a new "large-scale wound" unacceptable for regional stability.

While Washington has expanded its agenda to include Iran's ballistic missile program and Israel's security, Fidan maintains that a compromise on the nuclear file remains possible. Simultaneously, Turkey is taking defensive measures along its 560 km border with Iran to manage potential mass migration or security threats in the event of a "hot conflict". The National Security Council (MGK) confirmed on January 28 that all necessary precautions are being taken to maintain border security and regional stability.

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Source: BBC