Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has warned that a new United States attack on Iran would be a mistake, urging Washington and Tehran to pursue diplomacy and gradually resolve their disputes.
Speaking in an interview with Al Jazeera, parts of which aired Wednesday, Fidan said renewed conflict would further destabilize the region as the US increases its military presence in the Middle East.
“It’s wrong to start the war again,” he said.
The comments come as the US has deployed additional military assets to the Gulf, including an aircraft carrier strike group, while President Donald Trump has continued to threaten further action against Iran following last June’s 12-day conflict.
Iranian officials have vowed to respond strongly if attacked again.
Despite rising tensions, Fidan said negotiations remain possible, adding that Iran appears willing to reopen talks over its nuclear program.
“Iran is ready to negotiate a nuclear file again,” he said.
The US struck three major Iranian nuclear sites after Israel launched air attacks on Iran in June. Trump has claimed the strikes severely damaged Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while Tehran has insisted it has the right to enrich uranium. The location of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains unclear.
Washington has also called on Iran to curb its missile program and end support for allied groups in the region, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
Fidan suggested that the US should focus on resolving disputes step by step rather than demanding sweeping concessions at once.
“My advice … close the files one by one,” he said, starting with the nuclear issue.
He added that broader demands could be difficult for Iranian leaders to accept or explain domestically and could be perceived as humiliating.
Fidan also stressed that Iran has a role in the region but must work to build trust with neighboring countries.
“They need to create trust in the region,” he said, calling for cooperation despite ideological and sectarian differences.
NATO-member Turkey, which shares a 530-kilometer (330-mile) border with Iran, has often expressed opposition to military operations targeting the Islamic Republic.
Last week President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan described the latest unrest in Iran as a “new test” for Tehran, pledging Turkey would “stand against any initiative” that would drag the region into chaos.
A series of protests starting in late December rattled Iran’s clerical leadership under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but faded away after a crackdown that activists say killed thousands.
Erdoğan said he hoped diplomacy and dialogue would help Iran get through this “trap-filled period.”
The full interview with Fidan is scheduled to air on Al Jazeera English on Thursday.