Turkey says renewed attack on Iran would expand conflict, diplomacy only way

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned on Friday against any renewed attack on Iran, stating it would expand the conflict and that diplomacy is the only way to end the war. He spoke after a meeting in Istanbul with counterparts from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Britain, and Italy to discuss the Iran war, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, and Russia's war in Ukraine. The meeting, the first collective gathering of the Regional Four and EU 3 alongside Italy, saw all participants agree that a new attack on Iran would expand the war and that military intervention is not a solution.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan cautioned on Friday against any renewed attack on Iran, stating that such a move would exacerbate tensions and expand the conflict, and that diplomacy and dialogue are the only way to end the war. Fidan made the remarks after a meeting in Istanbul with his counterparts from Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, Britain, and Italy. The meeting, the first collective gathering of the Regional Four (R4) and EU 3 (E3) alongside Italy, discussed developments in the Iran war, attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthis, and Russia's war in Ukraine. Fidan said all participants agreed that a new attack on Iran would expand the war and that a military intervention is not a solution. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot added that renewed escalation between Iran and the US would only have losers and raise oil prices. The comments followed a New York Times report that the US and Israeli militaries had drawn up plans for renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections. US President Donald Trump said the US would not launch an attack before the midterms and questioned whether Washington should seek a swift conclusion or allow the conflict to wind down.