Erdoğan urges NATO defense boost in call with Macron amid Iran crisis

2026-03-05 - 19:52

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron focusing on bilateral relations and the escalating conflicts in the region, Türkiye's Communications Directorate announced. Erdoğan emphasized that ongoing hostilities in the region and globally "necessitate increased defense cooperation among NATO allies," stressing the importance of accelerating long-delayed joint steps in the defense industry. Concerns Over Iran The Turkish president conveyed that prolonging the conflict in Iran would serve as "a source of instability for both the region and the world." He updated Macron on Ankara's intensive efforts "to strengthen the diplomatic ground and return to negotiations," underscoring Türkiye's commitment to peaceful resolution. Erdoğan stated that Ankara is closely monitoring developments in the Islamic republic and is "saddened by the civilian deaths and concerned about their increase." Strategic Dialogue The call between the two NATO allies reflects ongoing high-level consultations as the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, launched Saturday, continues to expand. With over 900 fatalities reported including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the conflict has drawn in multiple regional actors and threatens broader destabilization. Erdoğan's outreach to Macron forms part of Türkiye's broader diplomatic engagement with European partners amid the widening crisis.