In a significant diplomatic intervention, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has publicly urged the United States to adopt a pragmatic, step-by-step approach to dialogue with Iran, beginning with immediate nuclear talks.
The call comes amid escalating regional tensions, with the United States deploying additional military assets to the Middle East. Minister Fidan, in an interview with Al Jazeera, firmly warned against a military confrontation, stating, "It’s wrong to attack Iran. It’s wrong to start the war again".
Minister Fidan emphasized that diplomacy remains viable, revealing that Iran is prepared to return to negotiations concerning its nuclear program. He offered specific advice to U.S. policymakers, advocating for an incremental resolution of issues rather than seeking a single comprehensive agreement.
"My advice always to the American friends: close the files one by one with the Iranians. Start with nuclear, close it, then the others," Fidan stated. He explained that presenting all disputes as a single package would be "very difficult for our Iranian friends to digest" and could be perceived as humiliating, making it harder for Iranian leadership to justify engagement.
The Foreign Minister highlighted the necessity of long-term regional coexistence and cooperation. "They [Iran] are not going anywhere; we are not going anywhere," Fidan noted, urging Iran to build trust with its neighbors. He suggested that Iran has the potential to occupy a "perfect place" in the regional order based on its capabilities.
As a NATO member sharing a 530-kilometer border with Iran, Turkey has consistently positioned itself as a stabilizing force, opposing military actions that could plunge the region into further chaos.
The appeal for talks occurs against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric. U.S. President Donald Trump recently referenced a military "armada" heading toward the region while expressing a hope for a deal. This follows a period of intense conflict in June 2026, when U.S. strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
Turkey's diplomatic outreach underscores a commitment to de-escalation and pragmatic diplomacy as the preferred tools for resolving one of the world's most pressing security challenges.