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Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a series of high-level diplomatic calls on Sunday with regional and international counterparts, as Ankara steps up efforts to help de-escalate rising tensions in the Middle East, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Fidan spoke separately with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, and Pakistani officials, in consultations focused on recent developments and avenues for de-escalation.
The outreach follows earlier contacts with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and U.S. officials, according to the same sources.
No further details on the substance of the discussions were immediately available.
The diplomatic activity comes amid heightened regional tensions following a reported escalation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran since late February. Developments have led to casualties and increased instability across multiple fronts, although figures and specific claims remain difficult to independently verify.
Iran has launched retaliatory drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, as well as locations in Jordan, Iraq, and some Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, according to official statements and regional reports. The strikes have contributed to casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to aviation and global markets.
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has also been affected, raising concerns over global energy supplies. The strategic waterway typically handles a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Written by N.J.