Turkey Urges US to Start Nuclear Talks With Iran as Regional Tensions Rise

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has urged the United States to engage in nuclear talks with Iran rather than pursue military action, following the arrival of a US naval strike force in the region. Speaking to Al-Jazeera, Fidan said attacking Iran would be wrong and stressed that Tehran is ready to negotiate on the nuclear issue. He advised the US to address issues individually, starting with the nuclear file, instead of bundling multiple demands, which could be seen as humiliating by Iranian leadership.

Fidan emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue to help Iran navigate the current unrest, which has been marked by a harsh government crackdown on protests and an internet blackout. He also highlighted that Iran should work to build trust with its regional neighbors to improve stability. Turkey, sharing a 530-kilometre border with Iran, has consistently opposed military intervention against the Islamic Republic, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calling the unrest a “new test” for Tehran and pledging to oppose actions that could destabilize the region.