Erdogan says Turkey working to prevent US-Iran tensions spilling into wider conflict
Turkey is working to prevent tensions between the United States and Iran from tipping the Middle East into a new conflict, President Tayyip Erdogan said, as the two adversaries remain at odds over whether negotiations should cover Tehran’s missile programme.
Erdogan made the comments to reporters on a return flight from a visit to Egypt, according to a transcript shared by his office on Thursday. He said Ankara was doing its best to avoid escalation and suggested that talks at the level of the US and Iranian leadership could be helpful, ahead of lower-level nuclear negotiations expected to take place in Oman on Friday.
Turkey US-Iran tensions and the dispute over negotiations
The United States and Iran have signalled that disagreements over the scope of talks are threatening to derail diplomacy. Washington has said it wants negotiations to include Iran’s missile arsenal, while Tehran has indicated it is prepared to discuss only its nuclear programme.
The standoff has been accompanied by sharper rhetoric, including warnings of potential airstrikes, raising concerns among regional governments about the risk of miscalculation and a broader confrontation.
Venue shifted to Muscat after initial plan for Istanbul
Officials from both sides have said the venue for the talks was shifted to Muscat after an earlier plan that had involved Istanbul. The change followed uncertainty about whether the meeting would go ahead as planned.
Erdogan has sought to position Turkey as a stabilising actor and a potential facilitator in regional diplomacy, while maintaining channels with Washington and expanding Ankara’s influence across the Middle East.
Trump warning adds to pressure around talks
US President Donald Trump has publicly warned Iran’s leadership in recent days. Asked whether Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be concerned, Trump said he “should be very worried,” while also indicating that negotiations were under way.
The remarks contributed to uncertainty over the prospects for a deal as both sides continued to draw red lines on what would be discussed.
Regional concern as diplomacy hangs on next steps
Erdogan’s comments underline the sensitivity of the moment as the Oman talks approach, with countries in the region watching for signs of whether diplomacy can reduce tensions or whether the dispute over missiles and the agenda will deepen the confrontation.
Turkey has said it will continue efforts to prevent escalation, as the risk of renewed conflict remains tied to whether the talks proceed and whether the two sides can agree on a framework for further negotiations.
