ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged US President Donald Trump to keep diplomatic channels with Iran open, warning that rising tensions and stalled negotiations could further deepen the conflict in the region.
The appeal came during a phone call between Erdogan and Trump on Tuesday, according to the Turkish presidency. During the conversation, the two leaders discussed Iran, Gaza, bilateral relations and wider regional security.
Turkey has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict and has maintained communication with Washington, Tehran and other countries involved in diplomatic efforts, including Pakistan and Qatar.
Erdogan Calls for Maximum Use of Diplomacy
According to a statement from the Turkish presidency, Erdogan told Trump that it was extremely important to make the fullest possible use of diplomacy to address tensions between Iran and the United States.
The Turkish leader also expressed hope that negotiations would continue and reaffirmed Ankara’s willingness to support efforts aimed at achieving peace.
Turkey’s position reflects its strategic interest in preventing the conflict from spreading further. The country shares a border with Iran and is home to NATO’s second-largest military, giving Ankara a significant security interest in developments across the region.
Iran Warns of Shift in Military Posture
Erdogan’s call came shortly after a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran could adopt a “fully offensive” military posture because negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent end to the conflict had stalled.
The warning followed Washington’s decision to rule out extending a temporary ceasefire arrangement.
The breakdown in diplomatic momentum has raised concerns that the conflict could enter another dangerous phase, particularly as both sides remain divided over the conditions required for a lasting settlement.
Turkey has sought to maintain communication with all sides in an effort to encourage negotiations rather than further military escalation.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Major Concern
The future of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was also discussed amid continuing uncertainty over efforts to restore oil tanker traffic.
The strategically important waterway is a major route for global energy shipments, making disruptions there a concern for both regional economies and international markets.
Turkey has called for the reopening of the strait and has criticised the US and Israeli military campaign against Iran. At the same time, Ankara has condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states.
On Monday, Turkey’s foreign minister discussed the reopening of the waterway and the continuation of the ceasefire with his Iranian counterpart.
The diplomatic efforts reflect growing concerns that continued disruption around the strait could have consequences far beyond the immediate conflict.
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Erdogan and Trump Discuss Gaza
The Turkish presidency said the two leaders also discussed the war in Gaza.
Erdogan reportedly told Trump that Israeli attacks on Palestinians had increased at a time when the second phase of Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan was expected to begin.
Turkey has been among the countries calling for an end to the violence in Gaza and has repeatedly criticised Israel’s military actions in the territory.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the conversation.
Regional Defence Cooperation Also Discussed
Erdogan and Trump also discussed bilateral relations and a defence agreement involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
According to the Turkish presidency, Erdogan described the agreement as demonstrating a strong commitment to regional stability and security.
The defence cooperation comes as countries across the Middle East and surrounding regions seek to strengthen security partnerships amid growing uncertainty.
For Turkey, maintaining dialogue with both Iran and the United States provides Ankara with an opportunity to support diplomatic efforts while protecting its own security interests.
Turkey Seeks to Prevent Wider Escalation
Erdogan’s latest appeal reflects Turkey’s broader effort to prevent the conflict from expanding into a wider regional confrontation.
With negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire continuing and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz still facing disruption, Ankara is urging the parties to return to diplomacy.
Whether those efforts can produce meaningful progress remains uncertain. However, Turkey’s continued engagement with the United States, Iran and other regional actors positions it as one of the countries attempting to keep diplomatic channels open as tensions remain elevated.
