Iran's Pezeshkian praises Erdoğan's 'commendable stance' as Türkiye pursues peace

2026-03-26 - 07:09

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Türkiye on Wednesday for its solidarity during the ongoing conflict, praising President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's "commendable stance" in condemning Israel. In a Turkish-language post on social media, Pezeshkian said: "The steadfast stance of my esteemed brother, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in condemning the aggressive Zionist regime is commendable. The brotherly Turkish nation has long played an important role in solidarity with the Islamic Ummah. With divine grace, we will continue on this honorable path." Türkiye's mediation efforts Despite regional disagreements over Syria and Iraq, where Ankara has repeatedly warned Tehran about PKK structures in Iran, Türkiye has emerged as one of the most active mediators seeking to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. Both Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have engaged in intensive diplomatic efforts, holding frequent talks with both Washington and Tehran. Ankara has maintained its composure despite Iranian missiles entering Turkish airspace, prioritizing de-escalation and a return to dialogue. Erdoğan's condolence message Erdoğan was among the few leaders who issued a condolence message following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the initial US-Israeli strikes. "I convey my condolences to the brotherly Iranian people and pray for mercy for Mr. Khamenei," Erdoğan said. "As Türkiye, we will continue our efforts with determination for our region to regain the peace and stability that all our friends and brothers deserve, for the conflict environment in our region to end, and for a return to diplomacy." Iranian gratitude Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also expressed gratitude in Turkish, saying: "During these blessed days of Ramadan, the prayers and solidarity shown by our brotherly Turkish nation and our friend, the Republic of Türkiye, toward the Iranian people are a great source of strength and morale for us." Qatari appreciation The appreciation comes as Erdoğan also received thanks from Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for his efforts to stop the regional war during a phone call Wednesday night. The two leaders also exchanged condolences over a helicopter crash involving the Joint Command of Turkish and Qatari forces. Conflict context The US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, killing over 1,350 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, disrupting global oil supplies, while the conflict has expanded to Lebanon where over one million have been displaced.