ISTANBUL ( WNAM MONITORING): Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday called on the international community to be ready to respond “appropriately to Israel’s potential acts of sabotage” amid the recently declared US-Iran ceasefire.
“We also hope for the establishment of a new security and peace architecture in the region, including the normalization of relations between Iran and the Gulf countries on a stronger foundation. As Türkiye, I would like to reiterate that we are ready to play an active role in this process and provide all necessary support,” Fidan said during a joint news conference with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.
Fidan warned that Tel Aviv is “now extending” its genocide in Gaza to Lebanon, stressing that “even before the ink on the ceasefire has dried,” Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, carried out without distinction between children and civilians.
Noting that the two-week temporary ceasefire between Washington and Tehran may not be sufficient, Fidan said it could be extended if both sides agree.
“Our hope and effort will also be in that direction: that these negotiations begin in good faith and reach a successful outcome. The world needs this, and the region needs this. Both Iran and the United States are capable of achieving it, and the regional countries are ready to provide all constructive support,” he further said.
Noting that Türkiye welcomed the temporary ceasefire reached between the US and Iran, which also involves Israel, Fidan said he hoped the ceasefire would be fully implemented on the ground, including in Lebanon, and would eventually lead to permanent peace.
Speaking about the upcoming US-Iran talks, Fidan said they are expected to begin on April 11 and would cover difficult issues such as the nuclear file, uranium enrichment, the Strait of Hormuz, and regional security.
He warned that Israel’s large-scale airstrike on Lebanon immediately after the ceasefire announcement was a serious provocation that could make negotiations even more difficult.
Fidan also said the international community increasingly agrees that the war and the attacks on Iran were a mistake.
He argued that regional countries should resolve their problems through dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and regional cooperation rather than through external intervention.
Syria should be protected from regional crisis
Noting that the meeting also addressed bilateral relations between the two countries, regional developments, and ways to strengthen cooperation, Fidan underlined that the Middle East is going through a highly dangerous period and that Türkiye sees the region’s stability, security, and peace as interconnected.
Fidan said Syria should be shielded from the negative effects of the broader regional crisis.
He added that Türkiye will continue to support Syria’s stabilization, reconstruction, and internal integration process, as well as efforts to build national reconciliation among all Syrians.
He also argued that lasting peace in the Middle East will not be possible unless Israel’s expansionist policies come to an end.
He accused the Israeli government of worsening conditions in Gaza, undermining the two-state solution in the West Bank, and restricting freedom of worship in East Jerusalem, urging the international community to take measures against Israel’s attempts to create new facts on the ground.
World must not forget humanitarian crisis in Gaza
On Gaza, Fidan urged the world not to allow attention to shift away from the humanitarian crisis.
He noted that there are still major problems in implementing the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, including insufficient humanitarian aid, instability around border crossings such as Rafah, and delays in establishing a technical administration in Gaza.
Referring to the Hamas delegation’s visit to Türkiye on March 31, Fidan said Hamas had largely fulfilled its obligations in the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, but there were indications that Israel had not fully kept its promises.
Hamas insisted that the unresolved issues of the first phase must be completed before moving to the second phase, he noted.
He added that delegations are working to meet again in Cairo for a second round of talks.
Despite provocations and obstacles, Fidan said Türkiye continues to place its hopes in diplomacy and dialogue and is coordinating closely with its partners to keep the process moving forward.
US President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, saying that Tehran presented a “workable” 10-point proposal for negotiations.
The announcement came less than two hours before the expiration of a deadline Trump had repeatedly extended for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept an agreement or face widespread destruction.
