Turkey warns new attack on Iran could widen regional war

ANKARA, Oct 24: Turkish Foreign Minister HakanFidan on Friday warned that renewed military strikes against Iran would spread conflict across the region, urging countries to prioritize diplomacy and prevent further escalation.

“Military intervention in Iran is by no means a solution. No one supports this at the moment,” Fidan told reporters after a meeting of the R4+E3 foreign ministers in Istanbul, the first gathering in the format.

The meeting brought together foreign ministers from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy to discuss regional and international developments, including tensions between the United States and Iran.

The United States and Israel are reportedly preparing plans for renewed strikes against Iran after the American midterm elections. The war, which began in late February, remains unresolved despite a ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding aimed at finalizing a peace deal.

Fidan said the participating countries agreed that further military action against Iran could worsen regional instability. He stressed the importance of maintaining a coordinated position and called for an end to conflicts in the Gulf region and Ukraine through ceasefires and lasting peace agreements.

“Türkiye has long maintained that diplomacy is the best way forward. This view is also shared by the other countries,” he said, adding that the participants were actively advocating diplomatic solutions.

Fidan also called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that disruptions to maritime traffic were harming international markets.

The R4 mechanism, established by Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, seeks to strengthen regional dialogue and promote stability. The E3 grouping of Germany, France and the UK was formed through diplomatic cooperation on Iran's nuclear programme.

Fidan described the combined platform as a flexible mechanism for developing common positions on interconnected crises affecting Europe and the Middle East. He said disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and maritime routes in the Black Sea were threatening energy supplies, food security and international trade.

Restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz had intensified energy concerns and pushed prices higher in Europe, while insecurity in the Black Sea had disrupted grain exports, affecting food supplies in the Middle East and Africa, he said.

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Fidan said all participants supported an immediate ceasefire followed by a peace agreement. He also called for restoring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Black Sea.

“Either the war should stop, or, if it does not stop, the parties should introduce exemptions for energy and grain,” he said.

Recalling Türkiye's role in facilitating the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, Fidan said countries and international markets should not continue bearing the economic consequences of the conflict. Ankara was consulting the relevant parties on proposals to transport grain held in Russia and Ukraine to international markets.

Fidan also rejected attempts to target Türkiye in political rhetoric ahead of Israeli elections, criticizing radical parties for using the country to attract voters.

“We categorically reject the use of Türkiye in the rhetoric being employed in Israel as the country heads toward elections,” he said, describing such tactics as cheap political maneuvering.

On Libya, Fidan defended the 2019 maritime jurisdiction agreement between Türkiye and Libya, saying the legally valid arrangement should not become a source of political controversy. 

He acknowledged Egypt's reservations but said Ankara had maintained discussions with Cairo and remained open to constructive solutions involving Egypt and Italy.

Fidan stressed that lasting stability in Libya required political reunification and the integration of rival military structures under a national army.

“If the country is to be unified, these structures must come together under a national army,” he said, adding that Türkiye and other international actors were continuing efforts to support unity between eastern and western Libya.�" AGENCIES