Türkiye urges de-escalation as Erdoğan, Fidan hold regional calls on Iran crisis

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a series of phone calls on March 1 with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Gulf leaders as tensions surged following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

During his call with von der Leyen, Erdoğan urged all sides to return to diplomacy and dialogue, saying Türkiye was ready to provide support for peace efforts and stressing the need for close coordination between Türkiye and the European Union.

Erdoğan also spoke with Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, expressing condolences over attacks targeting Kuwait and underlining that diplomacy and negotiations were the “most rational” way to resolve disputes, the Communications Directorate said.

In a separate call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Erdoğan conveyed sympathies following attacks on Saudi Arabia and warned that the conflict could have severe regional and global repercussions if it continued, according to an official readout.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also held calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, diplomatic sources said, as Ankara pushed for steps to contain the crisis.

Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran responded with drone and missile attacks, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.