Turkish president, NATO chief discuss regional, global developments

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday discussed regional and global developments, as well as issues on NATO's agenda, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in a phone call following the attacks on Iran and the subsequent clashes.

According to a statement from the Turkish Communications Ministry, Erdoğan told Rutte that Türkiye is “carefully monitoring the conflict in the region,” stressing that “giving diplomacy a chance is important for achieving lasting peace.”

Erdoğan said preparations for the NATO Leaders Summit, to be held in Ankara in July, are ongoing and that “Türkiye will host the summit in a manner befitting its importance.”

Rutte said NATO will “continue to contribute to ensuring the security of its allies with a 360-degree perspective.”

Erdoğan also discussed the attacks on Iran and subsequent clashes in a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

During the call, Erdoğan emphasized that the conflicts in our region are negatively affecting regional and global security, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

The president also said it is important to increase peace-focused engagements in the region and encourage the parties to return to the dialogue table in order to ensure lasting calm.

The U.S. and Israel launched a major offensive against Iran on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In retaliation, Iran has carried out drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and regional locations hosting U.S. military assets, heightening tensions across the Middle East.