Erdoğan, Trump discuss Iran, Gulf tensions in phone call

2026-02-28 - 23:12

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call with US President Donald Trump Sunday to discuss regional developments, including attacks against Iran, Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran announced. "The latest situation and current developments in Iran and the Gulf countries" were discussed by the two leaders, Duran wrote on X. Diplomatic Push The conversation comes amid heightened regional tensions and diplomatic efforts by Ankara to reduce escalation and encourage dialogue across the Middle East. Erdoğan has engaged in intensive outreach since Saturday's US-Israeli strikes, holding separate calls with UAE and Qatari leaders, while Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted nine-nation consultations. Conflict Context The US and Israel attacked Tehran early Saturday, in the middle of nuclear negotiations under Omani mediation. A Geneva round concluded Thursday. The US had also struck three Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day Israel-Iran war last June. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones targeting Israel and US bases, raising international concern over wider conflict.