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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said an agreement between Iran and the United States is needed to make the current ceasefire more permanent, stating that both sides show willingness to return to the negotiation table.
"There is currently a period of silence. But to make this more permanent, an agreement needs to be made between Iran and America. At this point, we see that both sides have the will to sit back at the table and enter into negotiations," Fidan said in a live broadcast interview with Turkish TV.
"Europeans also have a process they want to pursue with the Iranians," he added.
Fidan emphasized that Türkiye has been both a close observer and participant in regional developments and often acts as a mediator by stating, "As you know, we are both closely following and involved in all developments in the region. Often as a mediator."
"Because preventing wars from breaking out in our region and ending existing ones is in both our interest and the region's interest," he added.
On whether Iran’s enrichment capacity has been affected, Fidan said the nuclear issue is only one part of the broader dynamic between Iran and Israel.
"As a result of the military operation carried out by America, it is obvious that the nuclear facilities in Iran were significantly damaged and rendered unusable," Fidan assessed. "Here, frankly, we can now speak of a very serious blow dealt to the nuclear program."
Fidan pointed to difficult questions ahead: "To be frank, when Iran sits at the table, will the Americans come to them only with the nuclear issue, or will they bring other files too? If they bring other files, I frankly don't think the Iranians will discuss these files."
"But on nuclear issues, I frankly think there will be a negotiation, an effort for consensus like the agreement that existed during the (former US President Barack) Obama period. But I don't think proposals that would mean total surrender, demanding the elimination of non-nuclear capabilities as well, will be viewed favorably as of now, in terms of this assessment after the 12-day war," he assessed.
Fidan said Türkiye has conveyed proposals to both Washington and Tehran to help bridge the divide: "There is a possibility of compromise here, especially after the recent attacks on nuclear sites. But of course, I can’t speak on behalf of either country."
"What I’ve advised them are ideas that could help them meet in the middle... Some of these ideas were adopted and implemented immediately, even through other actors who also brought them up," he added.
"Some creative ideas are needed that will bring them to the middle and spread them over time. We bring these to the agenda of the parties," Fidan said.
Fidan also said there are signs that the Oman channel might be revived: "There are signs that the Oman process, started years ago, may be reactivated. Perhaps they will try that again. I think an agreement on nuclear issues can be reached."
Fidan outlined the core dispute: "Now the fundamental matter is that the Americans' starting position is that there should be no enrichment process in Iran. The Iranians also argue that peaceful nuclear enrichment is a right arising from international law and agreements. They are supporters of the nuclear agreement, NPT as you know."
"Especially after the recent attack, I hope they can reach an agreement. But good faith is needed on both sides," he added.
"This war was concluded for now in 12 days, but there is a ceasefire that resulted from the assumption that nuclear capacity was eliminated," Fidan said, adding, "The region actually needs to be alert against the possibility of the ceasefire breaking down and mutual attacks starting again later."
Emphasizing that this is a war that creates very high costs not only for the two countries but also for the region, Fidan continued: "As you know, there is a distance of more than 1000 kilometers between the two countries, no border. Therefore, it is a cross-border war that involves different countries. There is currently a period of silence, but to make this more permanent, an agreement needs to be made between Iran and America."
Fidan recalled saying in the first week of attacks on Gaza that "a war between Iran and Israel was coming," stating: "Israel's attack on Iran pushed Iran into a position of legitimate defense and it emerged that Israel is not actually as powerful a country as it claims to destroy Iran's nuclear capabilities. It just revealed its reckoning with it."
"Here, of course, (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu also has political calculations for his own domestic politics. Unfortunately, we saw again here how much domestic politics plays a role in international politics," he added.
He noted that the whole world saw "a political mindset that does not hesitate to set the region on fire for its own fortune," adding that they have been conducting intensive diplomacy from the beginning.
On the NATO Summit held in The Hague, Fidan said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump had been prearranged and was constructive.
"The meeting was productive and went well," said Fidan, adding that regional issues, including Gaza, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Iran, were discussed.
Fidan also confirmed that Türkiye would host the 2026 NATO Summit, with Istanbul and Ankara as candidate cities. "The final decision on whether it will be Istanbul or Ankara will be made by the President," he said.
Fidan reported that Trump's message about NATO members' defense spending being insufficient was received by European leaders, stating that NATO members reached consensus on increasing defense spending to 5% in two separate categories over the next 10 years.
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