Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a news conference after the R4 and R4+E3 foreign ministers' meetings hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul. Fidan made statements on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, the Russia-Ukraine war and election rhetoric in Israel.
"A new attack on Iran would widen the war"
Fidan said the countries attending the meeting had reached a common assessment on Iran. "We agree that another attack against Iran in particular would truly lead to the war and conflict in the region spreading again. Instead, we have achieved near-consensus that choosing dialogue and diplomacy is the best course," he said.
Fidan said, "Military action against Iran is in no way a solution. No one approves of it at this point." He stressed that other countries also shared and supported Türkiye's view that diplomacy was the best course.
The Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia
Fidan said the Strait of Hormuz should be opened immediately and attacks against Saudi Arabia should stop.
Russia-Ukraine war: Energy and grain exemptions
Addressing the Russia-Ukraine war, Fidan said, "Either the war should stop, or, if it does not, the parties should introduce an exemption for energy and grain. As you know, Türkiye made this possible two and a half years ago." Fidan said international markets and other countries should not be affected in the same way while the two countries were fighting a war of mutual destruction. He added that they had discussed with the relevant parties proposals to deliver grain from Ukraine and Russia to global markets.
Fidan said the countries attending the meeting expected a ceasefire and a peace agreement based on it as soon as possible. He added that if a ceasefire could not be reached, navigational safety and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea should be put into effect as soon as possible.
Fidan rejects election rhetoric in Israel
Fidan also reacted to rhetoric targeting Türkiye during the election process in Israel: "We categorically reject the use of Türkiye in the rhetoric employed in Israel as it heads toward elections." Fidan said they viewed the efforts of radical parties seeking to win grassroots votes by denigrating and demonizing Türkiye as a cheap political maneuver and that there was nothing serious about them.
The foreign ministers of the R4 countries—Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia—the E3 countries—Germany, the United Kingdom and France—and Italy met in Istanbul for the first time at Türkiye's initiative.
