Türkiye hopes US, Iran reach genuine deal without war, Fidan says

2026-02-19 - 21:52

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hope Thursday that the United States and Iran will achieve a "genuine negotiation" without resorting to military conflict, following his participation in the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington. Speaking to Anadolu and TRT in the US capital, Fidan described encouraging developments in the nuclear dialogue while acknowledging the delicate nature of the current moment. Positive Signals Amid Diplomatic Momentum Fidan noted that the negotiation process, which originated with diplomatic efforts in Istanbul, has already produced two rounds of direct engagement—in Oman's capital Muscat and in Geneva, Switzerland. "The parties are giving unprecedentedly positive signals, particularly in advancing certain concrete issues," he said, based on his discussions with Omani mediators and direct contacts with American and Iranian officials. The foreign minister emphasized that "there are many reasons to be hopeful," particularly regarding progress on the nuclear file, while stressing that the process remains at a critical threshold requiring careful monitoring. Military Activity Raises Questions Despite the optimistic diplomatic assessment, Fidan acknowledged heightened US military presence in the region as a complicating factor. "We observe that military mobility has also increased," he said, noting that Ankara is closely monitoring whether these movements are designed to pressure negotiators or represent preparation for pre-planned operations. His remarks come as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued urgent evacuation warnings for citizens in Iran, citing "very real" conflict risk, and as reports indicate Washington and Tel Aviv may be preparing for potential strikes. Critical Threshold Fidan characterized the current moment as pivotal, where perceptions and next steps remain fluid. "How this becomes practically implementable, when it will happen, how the parties perceive it, and how that perception guides their next steps—we are at a critical threshold right now," he explained. President Trump indicated Thursday that the viability of a deal with Iran would soon become clear, warning that Washington may be forced to escalate if negotiations fall short. Fidan's measured optimism, tempered by acknowledgment of military preparations, reflects Ankara's hope that the unprecedented positive signals can translate into durable agreement before the window for diplomacy closes.