Turkish President Erdogan Urges Trump to Keep Diplomatic Door Open with Iran

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to continue diplomatic negotiations with Iran to reduce regional tensions, according to a Reuters report. Erdogan offered Ankara's support for peace efforts amid a stalemate in talks between Washington and Tehran and renewed threats from Iran. The two leaders spoke by phone, with Erdogan emphasizing the importance of exhausting diplomatic options with Iran and expressing hope that negotiations would persist.

The conversation took place against the backdrop of stalled discussions over extending a temporary ceasefire agreement and the suspension of oil tanker movements through the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian official warned that Tehran might adopt a fully offensive stance if a permanent agreement is not reached. Turkey, which shares a border with Iran and has the second-largest military in NATO, has maintained relations with the U.S., Iran, and other regional mediators including Pakistan and Qatar.

In addition to Iran, Erdogan and Trump discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, bilateral relations, and a recently signed defense pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. Erdogan praised the agreement as a demonstration of a strong commitment to regional stability and security.