Turkish officials have disclosed to Al Jazeera Net that Ankara has engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent the worsening of the ongoing war in the Middle East, acting as a mediator to convey U.S. demands to Iranian officials.
The sources explained that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have conducted phone calls with around 10 countries, seeking to extend the 48-hour deadline set by U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and to find common ground for dialogue.
Details of the Event
The sources indicated that the United States delivered its latest demands regarding the cessation of hostilities to officials in both Turkey and Pakistan, who in turn relayed them to their counterparts in Iran. They added that, "Due to the presence of multiple power structures within Iran, U.S. messages were conveyed to several Iranian officials simultaneously."
Among the key demands from the United States outlined in the messages sent were: 1. Opening the Strait of Hormuz, 2. Halting military operations, 3. Ensuring that U.S. interests are not targeted, 4. Iran's commitment to international agreements, 5. Initiating direct dialogue with Washington.
The sources noted a significant similarity between the current U.S. demands and those prior to the war; however, Washington has "raised the bar by adding new clauses, based on the current field situation." They pointed out that such an escalation in demands has been observed previously in the early stages of negotiations, and that "the parties may converge later on certain points and the demands may change."
Background & Context
The sources in Ankara did not provide further details regarding the content of the messages, describing the situation as "stable but subject to change." They noted that Tehran has yet to respond to the messages directed at it.
It is worth mentioning that the United States has conveyed the same message to power centers in Iran through various countries, due to the loss of very significant figures in the attacks carried out in Iran and the division of power within the state, with Pakistan and Turkey emerging as leading nations in this regard.
Impact & Consequences
In order to reduce tensions, Turkey is managing a diplomatic movement through unofficial channels as well, by communicating with key figures close to the U.S. President who were connected during the crises in Syria and Gaza; many personalities have been contacted, including special envoy Steve Whitehouse.
Sources in Ankara confirmed that due to the escalation of the conflict to a level that could affect the entire world, communications have been made with Europe, the United Nations, and some important countries, encouraging all parties to make efforts to de-escalate.
Regional Significance
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke of "promising opportunities" for an agreement with Iran, asserting its "seriousness this time." Meanwhile, Tehran acknowledged exchanging messages with Washington, which were carried by officials from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey amid discussions about a 15-point document sent by the United States to Iran.
Additionally, CNN reported from sources that Tehran informed Washington that it does not wish to resume negotiations with U.S. envoys Steve Whitehouse and Jared Kushner, preferring to negotiate directly with J.D. Vance, the U.S. Vice President.