Turkiye says it is conveying ‘friendly’ advice to Iran not to spread war

Published March 19, 2026 Updated March 19, 2026 08:22pm

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Ankara is conveying “friendly” advice to Iran to avoid spreading its war with the United States and Israel to the Middle East, adding that Tehran’s attacks on regional countries are unacceptable, Reuters reports.

Speaking in Doha, Fidan has said Israel is the main perpetrator of the war but that Iran has a “historic responsibility” not to attack regional countries.

He adds that Ankara is in contact with both Washington and Tehran to gauge where they stand, and that Turkiye’s efforts to end the conflict will continue.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends the consultative ministrial meeting in Riyadh, on March 19. — AFP
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends the consultative ministrial meeting in Riyadh, on March 19. — AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Larijani’s killing
Updated 19 Mar, 2026

Larijani’s killing

The late Larijani was one of the most powerful men in Iran — a thinker and a soldier.
War’s hunger toll
19 Mar, 2026

War’s hunger toll

THE conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues to widen with far-reaching repercussions.The UN’s World ...
Let them in
Updated 19 Mar, 2026

Let them in

THE government need not be so difficult. Former prime minister Imran Khan’s sons, Kasim and Sulaiman, have not ...
Exit strategy
Updated 18 Mar, 2026

Exit strategy

MOST members of the international community, particularly states in the greater Middle East, are gravely concerned...
Unsafe trains
18 Mar, 2026

Unsafe trains

SUNDAY’S accident involving the Shalimar Express has once again brought into sharp focus the deep structural and...
Disappointment in Dhaka
18 Mar, 2026

Disappointment in Dhaka

FOR a side looking for lift-off after a disappointing T20 World Cup, it was despair for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s ...