Shafaqna Pakistan: In a telephone conversation with Donald Trump, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan advocated for maintaining open channels of diplomacy with Iran, warning that stalled talks and rising regional friction risk escalating the ongoing conflict, the Turkish presidency announced on Tuesday.
As a NATO member possessing the alliance’s second-largest standing army and sharing a direct border with Iran, Turkey has consistently pushed for an end to hostilities. The country maintains active communication with the United States and Iran, while coordinating alongside regional intermediaries including Pakistan and Qatar to facilitate dialogue between the involved parties.
“Erdogan stated that it is of great importance to make the utmost of diplomacy regarding the tensions between Iran and the United States, that we hope the talks will continue, and that Turkey will continue to support peace efforts,” the official presidential statement read.
The call comes after a senior Iranian official told Reuters earlier on Monday that Iran would shift to a “fully offensive” military posture because efforts to negotiate a permanent end to the war have stalled, as Washington ruled out extending a temporary ceasefire agreement.
Progress towards a resumption of oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has also stalled.
Turkey has criticised the US and Israeli assault on Iran, while also condemning the Iranian attacks on Gulf states and calling for the re-opening of the strategic strait.
On Monday, Turkey’s foreign minister discussed the strait’s re-opening and the continuation of the ceasefire with his Iranian counterpart.
The presidency added that Erdogan and Trump also discussed bilateral ties, the war in Gaza, and a defence pact signed between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, adding that the Turkish leader praised the accord as a sign of a “strong stance” for regional stability and security.
It said Erdogan told Trump that Israel’s attacks on Palestinians had increased at a time when the second phase of Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan was supposed to come into effect.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the call.
Source: Dunya News
