Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara opposes any military intervention in Iran and is focused on preventing regional destabilisation amid Tehran's crackdown on protests. Fidan has held two recent calls with Iran's Abbas Araqchi and said Turkey is also in contact with U.S. officials while direct Tehran–Washington communications are suspended. He urged dialogue, warned against the use of force and said there is no U.S. decision yet that would prompt Turkey to consider a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran.
Turkey Opposes Military Intervention In Iran, Urges Dialogue To Prevent Regional Destabilisation
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a press conference in Istanbul, Turkey, January 15, 2026. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
ISTANBUL, Jan 15 — Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Ankara opposes any military intervention in Iran and is prioritising efforts to prevent destabilisation there as Tehran continues a crackdown on nationwide protests.
With Iran's leadership seeking to suppress what officials describe as the worst domestic unrest in the Islamic Republic's history, and amid repeated threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene on behalf of protesters, Tehran has warned neighbouring states — including Turkey — that it could strike American bases if Washington were to take military action.
Fidan said he has held two recent phone conversations with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi, urging talks as the best way to reduce regional tensions. A Turkish diplomatic source added that Ankara has also been in contact with U.S. officials, since direct communications between Tehran and Washington remain suspended.
Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul, Fidan said Turkey would continue its diplomatic initiatives to help resolve the crisis and expressed hope that Iran and the United States could find a negotiated solution to de-escalate the situation.
'We are against a military intervention against Iran. Iran needs to solve its authentic internal problems on its own,' he said, adding that Turkey's priority was to avoid destabilisation inside Iran.
'This is why our priority is to totally avoid any situation that would cause force to be used,' Fidan said, also noting that Ankara 'did not condone' the prospect of renewed violence between Tehran and either Israel or the United States. 'We definitely want problems to be solved through dialogue. I think widespread destabilisation in Iran is too much for the region to handle.'
He added there had been no U.S. presidential decision to date that would compel Turkey to 'realistically' consider a U.S. move to impose a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran.
Turkey's stance underscores Ankara's concern about regional spillover from Iran's domestic unrest and its preference for diplomacy over military action. Ankara says continued dialogue with both Tehran and Washington is essential to reduce the risk of wider confrontation.
(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Daren Butler and Hugh Lawson)
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