Turkey urges Washington, Tehran to avoid aggression

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called on the United States and Iran to refrain from aggressive actions and resolve tensions through dialogue.

Speaking amid concerns that the US may launch another strike on Iran, Fidan warned that renewed military action would be a “grave mistake” for Washington.

The remarks come as the US has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf region, escalating tensions following a 12-day conflict last June.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Fidan stressed that there is still room for negotiation over Iran’s nuclear programme and emphasised the importance of maintaining regional cooperation in the Middle East.

Iranian officials have stated they are prepared to respond forcefully to any further attacks.

Fidan suggested a step-by-step approach to resolving issues with Tehran, starting with nuclear talks, followed by discussions on missile development and regional proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

He added that Iran can play a key role in promoting regional peace and stability and must work to gain the trust of neighboring states while being mindful of its international image.

“Despite religious and ideological differences, state-level cooperation and coordinated action among Middle Eastern countries are essential,” Fidan said.