ANKARA, Turkey: Erdogan and Trump’s talks on Iran focused on preserving diplomacy with Tehran as regional tensions rise, the Turkish presidency said on Tuesday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey told President Donald Trump of the United States that continued dialogue with Iran was vital. Ankara also offered support for peace efforts.
The call followed a Reuters report citing a senior Iranian official who said Tehran could adopt a “fully offensive” military posture. The official linked the warning to stalled negotiations and the lack of a ceasefire extension.
Turkey has criticised US and Israeli attacks on Iran while also condemning Iranian strikes on Gulf states. Ankara has called for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen to tanker traffic.
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Turkey’s foreign minister also discussed the strait and ceasefire efforts with his Iranian counterpart on Monday.
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Erdogan and Trump also discussed Gaza, bilateral relations and a defence pact involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Erdogan described the agreement as supporting regional stability and security.
The Turkish presidency said Erdogan also raised Israeli attacks on Palestinians as the second phase of Trump’s Gaza peace plan was due to begin. The White House had not immediately commented on the call.
