According to reporting from BBC Türkçe, Turkey has served as an intermediary between Iran and the United States as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate following Iran’s missile attacks over the weekend. Additionally, statements released by Turkey’s Foreign Ministry have been critical of Israel while avoiding direct condemnation of Iran.
A press statement released Sunday (Aprıl 14) condemned Israel’s Aprıl 1 bombing of Iran’s Damascus embassy as ‘in violation of international law’ and ‘confirming Turkey’s concerns’ regarding Israel’s actions.
The statement also included a condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza and a call for a ceasefire, characterizing the current situation as a ‘fork in the road’ in regard to regional stability.
Despite the statement’s condemnation of Israeli actions, Turkey’s foreign ministry has avoided criticizing Iran directly. The statement characterized Iran’s drone and missile strikes over the weekend as ‘retaliatory’ following Israel’s attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus.
Turkish officials have also reportedly served as intermediaries between the United States and Iran in recent weeks. On April 10, just days prior to Iran’s attack, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reportedly contacted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to inform him of the plans.
Contact was also reported between Central Intelligence Agency head William Burns and Turkish spy chief İbrahim Kalın.
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In a statement, US Department of State Matthew Miller thanked Fidan for his role as an intermediary.
Kalın has also reportedly been in contact with Hamas officials in recent days, discussing a potential ceasefire, a return of hostages, and a possible return of Gaza civilians to the north part of the Gaza strip.
Written/translated for Medyascope by Leo Kendrick
