The hague: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted Friday the need for an agreement between Iran and the US, as both have the will to engage in negotiations following a period of airstrikes and heightened tensions. Fidan answered questions related to current events during a live television broadcast where he said the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump at a NATO summit in The Hague had been planned.
According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan mentioned that regional issues, particularly the Gaza Strip, Russia-Ukraine, and Iran, were discussed and that the meeting was very constructive and went well. European leaders had taken note of Trump's message that defense spending by NATO members was insufficient. NATO members had reached a consensus on increasing defense spending to 5% in two separate items - 3.5% for core defense expenditures and up to 1.5% for cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and industrial capacity-building, in the next 10 years.
Fidan discussed the ongoing conflict following Israel's attacks on Iran, emphasizing Turkey's role as a mediator to prevent the escalation of conflicts in the region. He stated that a temporary ceasefire had been achieved, but stressed the importance of a permanent agreement between Iran and the United States to prevent further hostilities. The foreign minister also commented on the damage caused to Iran's nuclear facilities, indicating a significant setback to its nuclear program.
Fidan responded to questions about a call he received from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the night of Israel's attack on Iran. He mentioned the US's stance of non-involvement in the attack and its warning to Iran against retaliating against US interests. Regarding potential US-Iran reconciliation, Fidan expressed hope that the negotiations about Iran's nuclear program could resume, with Turkey ready to play a mediating role if needed.
He highlighted the complexities surrounding the nuclear negotiations, noting the stark differences in starting positions between the US and Iran. Despite these challenges, Fidan remains optimistic about the possibility of reaching a compromise, especially in light of recent developments and attacks on nuclear facilities.
Fidan concluded by addressing the broader geopolitical context, referencing the historical challenges of nuclear disarmament and the lack of trust among nuclear-armed countries. He emphasized the strategic importance of reaching a diplomatic solution to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and maintain regional stability.