Turkey favors extending the two-week truce to 45 days
The Turkish foreign minister holds Israel responsible for attempting to derail negotiations in Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the American and Iranian sides are serious about negotiations and preserving the ceasefire, explaining that the truce may be extended to at least 45 days. However, he emphasized that the obstacle remains the issue of uranium enrichment, while also criticizing what he described as Israel’s role in stirring tensions and pushing the region back toward war.
He stressed that what the entire international community wants is for international passage through the Strait of Hormuz to remain unobstructed, adding that “Turkey’s position is that the strait must be opened through peaceful means,” noting that intervention in the region by an armed international peacekeeping force involves significant difficulties.
Fidan explained that the negotiations between Washington and Tehran revealed their initial positions, noting that “initial positions are usually somewhat rigid, and then both sides attempt to bring them closer with the support of mediators, provided there is a willingness to reach, preserve, and make the ceasefire permanent.”
He added: “From what I see now, both sides are serious about the ceasefire and recognize their need for it.”
He indicated that Turkey has remained in continuous contact with the parties to the negotiations held in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, in order to assess what contribution Ankara could make and to identify the sticking points in the talks.
He noted that U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance held a press conference regarding the negotiations, and that his remarks indicated that a proposal had been placed on the table while acknowledging a stalemate on the nuclear file.
He said: “Israel’s disruptive role must always be taken into account, and we say this constantly to the Americans and to other parties,” adding that the Iranians will evaluate the proposal presented by the Americans and “I believe they will respond to it.”
He stressed that Israel’s escalation in Lebanon was intended to undermine the agreement, noting that Lebanon had been part of the agreement announced in Islamabad, but that Washington chose to support Israeli positions and step back from this point.
Fidan stated that reaching a final agreement within 15 days may not be technically feasible given the scope of the issues under negotiation.
The Turkish minister indicated that continuing negotiations for an additional 45 to 60 days may require the introduction of a new ceasefire, pointing out that returning to an “all or nothing” approach on the nuclear file, particularly regarding enrichment, could create serious obstacles. He added: “We will seek to overcome this with the support of some mediators and other countries.”
He held Israel responsible for the escalation in the region, stating: “Israel cannot live without an enemy after Iran, and Netanyahu is seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy,” adding: “Cooperation between Greece, Israel, and Greek Cyprus does not build trust but rather increases mistrust, problems, and wars.”
He emphasized that Israel’s refraining from taking action against Syria due to the war with Iran does not mean it will not do so in the future, calling on every state in the Middle East to commit to respecting the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and security of other states within the framework of a security agreement.
