Turkey Intensifies Mediation Efforts Between Iran and the US

SadaNews - Turkey is intensifying its efforts for mediation between Iran and the United States in an attempt to avoid a new crisis on its eastern borders that could also threaten the stability of the region amid escalating threats of a US military strike aimed at overthrowing the Iranian regime.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will visit Ankara on Friday, after Turkey proposed mediation between Tehran and Washington.

The visit of Araghchi follows a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Wednesday, during which they discussed developments in Iran, US threats, ways to resolve the crisis through diplomatic channels, and reducing tensions in the region.

Sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that during his meeting with Araghchi in Ankara on Friday, Fidan will reiterate his country’s opposition to any military intervention against Iran, warning of the risks such a step poses to the region and the world.

Additionally, the sources indicated that Fidan will confirm Turkey's readiness to contribute to reaching a solution to the existing tensions between Tehran and Washington through dialogue, and will discuss with Araghchi bilateral relations between Turkey and Iran, regional security, and enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, transportation, and expanding exchange through border trade centers.

Fidan will also discuss developments in Syria and combating terrorist organizations, notably the "Free Life Party of Kurdistan" (PJAK) and the "ISIS" organization.

On the eve of the meeting with Araghchi, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met on Thursday with the US ambassador in Ankara and the special envoy to Syria, Tom Barak, at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, where they discussed developments in Iran and ways to reduce tensions, as well as updates on the Syrian file, according to Turkish sources.

US threats against Iran have escalated with Washington hinting at using force to change the regime in Tehran, while it has sent fleets and military reinforcements to the Middle East in recent weeks, at a time when Iran has vowed to respond to any attack targeting it.

Fidan emphasized in statements made on Wednesday Turkey's rejection of any foreign military intervention in Iran, calling on the United States to rely on diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis, and noting that regional instability does not serve his country's interests.

Turkish Proposal

The pro-government "Hurriyet" newspaper revealed a proposal presented by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to US President Donald Trump to hold a trilateral meeting via video conference, in which Iranian President Masoud Bezhaskian would participate, in an attempt to mediate and de-escalate tensions between the two sides.

The newspaper reported that the Iranian file was the main focus of a phone call Erdogan had with Trump on Tuesday, where the Turkish president reiterated Ankara's stance and proposed addressing the tensions through diplomatic channels.

It added that Trump responded positively to Erdogan's proposal and engaged with it in a favorable manner, noting that the call came after a series of Turkish diplomatic moves, including a call between Erdogan and Bezhaskian, two consecutive phone calls between Fidan and Araghchi, and two meetings with US envoy Tom Barak at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, in addition to a phone conversation between Fidan and US counterpart Marco Rubio.

According to the newspaper, these communications reflected ongoing Turkish mediation efforts to end the tension and prevent a strike on Iran that could threaten regional and global stability, noting that these moves were made quietly, even as US statements about preparations to strike Iran intensified.

Preventive Measures

The Turkish National Security Council discussed, in a meeting held on Wednesday under Erdogan's chairmanship, developments in Iran and US threats of an attack on Tehran. The council confirmed in a statement issued after the meeting the importance of stability and peace in "neighboring Iran" for both Iran and Turkey and regional security.

The Turkish Defense Ministry stated that Ankara continues its efforts to end all conflicts and establish peace and stability in the region.

Ministry spokesman Zaki Akturk stated in a press briefing on Thursday that the Defense Ministry has taken all necessary precautions in coordination with relevant institutions in anticipation of any potential negative developments amid recent US movements and the threat to strike Iran.

Akturk's statements followed media reports discussing preventive plans to establish a "buffer zone" on the border with Iran, in anticipation of a US strike that could lead to a large wave of migration from Iran towards Turkish territories.

The reports indicated that the plan includes establishing a buffer zone within the Iranian side of the border in case Iran faces aerial strikes, to ensure that those who may migrate remain within its borders and prevent their influx into Turkish territory, regardless of whether the term "buffer zone" is used or not.

The Turkish Defense Ministry had previously announced the strengthening of security measures along approximately 560 kilometers of the border with Iran, through an integrated monitoring system that includes concrete walls, trenches, and electro-optical observation towers, in addition to continuous monitoring using both unmanned and manned aerial systems around the clock.