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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday held separate phone calls with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as Türkiye intensifies diplomatic efforts amid the widening conflict in the Middle East. Fidan and Araghchi discussed the latest situation in the war, while the call with Dar focused on efforts to end the fighting, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.
The exchanges come as regional escalation continues to flare since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, which has so far killed more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military assets, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.
In a separate development, Fidan used social media to deliver a pointed defense of Türkiye's foreign policy, rejecting what he described as bad-faith criticism of the government's diplomatic approach.
"Türkiye's foreign policy is not shaped by knee-jerk reactions, but by an independent will that places our nation's interests at the center, guided by state wisdom and strategic foresight," Fidan wrote.
He said Türkiye had become a country whose voice is heard, whose weight is felt and whose influence shapes regional balances under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's leadership. Dismissing accusations he characterized as detached from reality, Fidan said ignoring the government's steps and distorting its statements reflected ill intent from those who bear no responsibility toward the nation.
"Baseless accusations only tire those who make them," Fidan added. "They cannot overshadow the sincere efforts Türkiye has put forward."
Fidan also stressed that Türkiye approaches regional crises with composure and takes responsibility for peace and stability, noting the country has always spoken its mind clearly to all sides.
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