Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan: New attack on Iran would widen regional war

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said countries taking part in the R4 and R4+E3 foreign ministers' meetings agree that a renewed attack on Iran would lead to the war and conflict in the region spreading again. Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul after the meetings, he said R4 comprises Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, while the R4+E3 meeting also included Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Fidan said all countries around the table did not want the war to spread further and backed an immediate end to fighting and a ceasefire in both the Gulf and Ukraine. He stressed that the Strait of Hormuz must open as soon as possible and that its negative impact on markets must end. He said a military intervention in Iran is in no way a solution, and that diplomacy and dialogue are the only way.

On the war between Russia and Ukraine, Fidan said participants share the goal of a ceasefire and a peace agreement in Ukraine as soon as possible. He also said there is a demand for steps to ensure safe and free navigation in the Black Sea. Recalling Türkiye's role, including the Grain Initiative, he said that if fighting does not stop, an energy and grain exception should be introduced, and that discussions on how to bring grain in Ukraine and Russia to world markets are ongoing.