Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said United States President Donald Trump is the only global leader with enough leverage to pressure Israel into ending its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, while also cautioning Washington against taking military action against Iran.
Speaking in an interview aired on Friday, Fidan said Türkiye believes Trump has a unique ability to influence Israeli policy because he operates independently of traditional political lobbies. According to Fidan, this gives the US president the freedom to take decisive action to stop what Ankara views as Israel’s wrongful conduct in Gaza.
“We believe that President Trump is the only person who can really put pressure on Israel,” Fidan said, adding that Türkiye would be willing to take part in an international stabilization force in Gaza if there is broad international agreement.
Turning to Iran, Fidan urged the United States to avoid military intervention, arguing that existing sanctions are already placing severe strain on the Iranian economy and contributing to internal unrest. He warned that further escalation could push Tehran toward extreme responses.
“I will advise my American friends not to make it,” Fidan said, stressing that Iran’s stability is vital for the wider region. He emphasized that dialogue, rather than force, remains the only realistic way to resolve disputes with Tehran.
Fidan also pointed to what he described as positive shifts in regional diplomacy, particularly in Syria and Gaza, where regional actors are increasingly taking ownership of solutions. He said this approach aligns with Trump’s broader foreign policy style, which favors regional responsibility over prolonged external intervention.
On Türkiye’s long stalled bid to join the European Union, Fidan said progress remains blocked by what he described as an identity based political mindset within the bloc. He argued that Europe’s failure to become a truly inclusive and trans civilizational project lies at the heart of Ankara’s stalled accession process.
The foreign minister also welcomed what he called a significant correction in US policy on Syria under the Trump administration. He criticized previous US cooperation with the YPG, which Türkiye considers an extension of the PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara.
Fidan said it was unacceptable for one NATO member to support a group hostile to another ally, while reiterating Türkiye’s support for equal constitutional citizenship for all Syrians within a unified state.
His remarks underline Ankara’s view that Washington remains central to resolving conflicts across the Middle East, while also highlighting Türkiye’s concerns over regional stability and alliance politics.
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