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Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump has the capacity and independence to pressure Israel into halting its military actions in the Gaza Strip.
"We believe that President Trump is the only person who can really put pressure on Israel," Fidan told U.S. media. "We think that Mr. Trump is independent of every objective of different lobbies ... So, if he wants, he has the capacity to put pressure on Israel and stop Israel's wrong behavior."
Fidan also noted that Israel had repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements and reiterated that Türkiye is prepared to do "everything within its means" to support the Gaza peace plan, including potentially participating in a multinational stabilization force, depending on broader international consensus.
Turning to regional tensions with Iran, Fidan advised the U.S. against further pressure, warning that existing sanctions are already severely affecting Iran’s economy and fueling domestic unrest.
“I will advise my American friends: 'Don't make it,’” he said, referring to potential military intervention. “The sanctions are really hurting the Iranian economy. That’s why the people are protesting.”
While he acknowledged Iran’s willingness to negotiate, he cautioned that Tehran might escalate its response if it feels cornered. Fidan stressed that stability in Iran is vital for the region and urged dialogue over force. “Dialogue is the only way to sort out the problems,” he said.
Fidan expressed cautious optimism about developments in Syria, describing a rare moment of alignment among regional actors, the United States, and the broader international community. For the first time, he said, these stakeholders are taking coordinated steps toward resolving a regional crisis.
He said that applying the same approach to other regional or global issues could lead to rapid progress, while warning that the "region will never be the same." Türkiye’s focus, he added, is on building a better future.
Fidan emphasized that regional conflicts should be addressed primarily by countries within the region, a stance he said reflects Trump’s broader policy of avoiding a "global police" role. He also welcomed what he described as a "major correction" by the Trump administration in ending U.S. support for the terrorist group SDF, linked to the terrorist PKK.
He criticized the previous U.S. policy under President Barack Obama, which involved arming the YPG/SDF—groups that Türkiye views as Syrian affiliates of the PKK terrorist group—in the fight against Daesh. The cooperation, Fidan said, was originally intended to be temporary but has continued for more than a decade. "A NATO ally cannot support a terrorist organization hostile to another NATO country," he stated, referencing Türkiye’s position within the alliance.
Fidan further argued that international portrayals of the YPG/SDF as the sole representatives of Syria’s Kurdish population are misleading. He noted that the PKK had suppressed over a dozen Kurdish political parties, forcing many into exile, and asserted that most Syrian Kurds simply want to live as equal and dignified citizens.
Reaffirming Ankara’s position, Fidan said Türkiye supports "equal constitutional citizenship" for all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religion, within a unified Syrian state. While Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had previously rejected such a framework, Fidan indicated that the current Syrian leadership is taking steps to reverse earlier policies and promote inclusion.
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