Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday hailed the "sincerity" of the United States and Iran on achieving a cease-fire. However, he warned that Israel may disrupt the process.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Fidan also commented on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The whole world wants free international passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Hormuz should remain open through peace, using an international armed force is a challenge,” he said.
Fidan also warned about Israel’s actions in Syria and Lebanon. On incursions into Syria, Fidan noted that it also posed a major risk for Türkiye. He said Israeli attacks in Lebanon resembled what it has done in Gaza, underlining that it engaged in a depopulation campaign by destroying housing and infrastructure.
Türkiye’s top diplomat said such negotiations start out with maximalist demands, but the sides usually try to find common ground with the support of mediators. "We only hope that they will have a lasting intention to reach a cease-fire and sustain it. As far as I can see, they are sincere on this,” he said. Fidan noted they were in touch with the sides after the talks in Islamabad, and throughout Sunday, they held talks on assessing the point of deadlock in the talks and what Türkiye can do to resolve it. He pointed out the "Israel factor.” "We should always consider what Israel can do to disrupt it. We always highlighted this to the U.S. side,” he stated.
On the contents of the talks, Fidan said it should be acknowledged that it might not have been technically possible to agree upon a final document within a timetable of 15 days, based on the topics discussed at the Islamabad meeting. He said that if any progress can be made, the sides can agree upon an additional cease-fire for continuing talks for a time period between 45 and 60 days. "If the talks turn to the nuclear issue with an all-or-nothing approach, especially on the issue of uranium enrichment, the talks can hit a serious obstacle. Still, this may be overcome with the support of mediators, other countries,” he stressed. He warned that military approaches to securing key global sea lanes would be highly complex and urged diplomacy to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint.
Fidan emphasized the importance of keeping international shipping routes open amid rising tensions in the Gulf. "What the entire world wants is that international transit remain free and not be obstructed," he said. He warned that stability in the waterway cannot be achieved through forceful measures. "Our position is to reopen it through peace. There are many difficulties in intervening here with an international armed peace force," he said.
He further commented on Israel's regional posture, saying: "We see that Israel may seek to designate Türkiye as a new adversary after Iran, as it cannot sustain itself without an enemy."
Turning to Syria, Fidan described the situation as a major security concern for Turkiye. "We see a major problem area in Syria. This is a big risk for us," he said, referring to Israel's attacks. He added that Israel's current focus on its confrontation with Iran could delay but not rule out its future moves in Syria. "Because of the war underway in Iran, it is not doing certain things (against Syria), but that does not mean it will not. When the time comes, it will want to do it," he said.
Fidan also criticized regional cooperation formats involving Greece, the Greek Cypriot administration and Israel, arguing they heighten tensions rather than ease them. "Their cooperation does not bring more trust, it brings more mistrust. It brings more problems and war," he said.
Fidan also called for a wider regional security framework based on mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity across the Middle East.