President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said Türkiye had consistently pursued a prudent, measured and diplomacy-first policy since the outbreak of attacks on Iran, emphasizing Ankara's efforts to promote regional stability and support diplomatic solutions.
Speaking at a news conference after a Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, Erdoğan said the deal had brought relief to a region that had remained on edge for months.
"From the very first day of the attacks on Iran, we maintained a prudent, calm and diplomacy-first stance," Erdoğan said. "We did not succumb to provocations, nor did we abandon fairness."
The president stressed that Türkiye had worked to preserve its relations with neighboring countries while coordinating closely with allies and Gulf partners throughout the crisis.
"We were not among those pouring fuel on the fire of war; we were among those raising the voice of peace," Erdoğan said.
He noted that Ankara strongly supported mediation efforts led by Pakistan, alongside Qatar and Saudi Arabia, while remaining vigilant against attempts to deepen divisions in the region and drive wedges between neighboring nations.
Erdoğan also said Türkiye's presidential system had enabled state institutions to respond effectively to regional crises, arguing that the country's governance structure had become a key advantage during periods of instability.
Referring to the agreement announced between Washington and Tehran, Erdoğan described it as an important step toward ending hostilities and easing tensions across the broader Middle East.
'NATO summit to serve as milestone for future of bloc'
Erdoğan also highlighted Türkiye's preparations to host a series of major international gatherings in 2026, led by the NATO Leaders Summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
Emphasizing Türkiye's longstanding role within the alliance, Erdoğan said the country remains one of NATO's most important members and continues to play a key role in safeguarding the alliance's southeastern flank. He noted that Türkiye commands NATO's second-largest land force and remains among the leading contributors to the alliance's peace missions worldwide.
The president said Ankara aims to ensure that the upcoming summit serves as a milestone for the future of NATO's security architecture, adding that the alliance's strength depends on preserving the spirit of solidarity and cooperation among allies.
Erdoğan also rejected recurring predictions about NATO's decline, saying the alliance has repeatedly adapted to changing global conditions and emerging security threats.
The president noted that Türkiye's military capabilities, dynamic defense industry, strategic location and geopolitical importance will continue to make it a leading actor within the alliance.
He said expectations surrounding the Ankara summit have grown due to both Türkiye's position within NATO and developments across the region. He added that extensive preparations are underway to welcome world leaders attending the gathering.
Beyond the NATO summit, Erdoğan noted that Türkiye will host several other major international events in 2026, including the NATO Parliamentary Summit in Istanbul on June 28-29, the 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Ankara later in the year, the 77th International Astronautical Congress and the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya. He said Türkiye intends to organize all of these events in a manner befitting the country's international standing.